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BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 



A HISTORY 



TOWNSHIPS 



OP 



BYBERRY AND MORELAND, 



IN 



PHILADELPHIA, PA., 



From their Earliest Settlement by the Whites to the Present Time. 



BY 



JOSEPH C. MAETINDALE, M.D., 

PRINCIPAL OF THE FOREST GRAMMAR SCHOOL,' PHILADELPHIA; A MEMBER OF THE 

ACADEMY OF NATURAL SCIENCES, PHILADELPHIA; OF THE HISTORICAL 

SOCIETY OF PENNSYLVANIA ; CORRESPONDING MEMBER 

OF THE BUFFALO SOCIETY OF NATURAL HJSTORY ; AUTHOR OP A HISTORY 

OF THE UNITED STATES, ETC. 



PHILADELPHIA: 
T. ELL WOOD ZELL, 

17 & 19 S. SIXTH ST. 

1867. 




SHERMAN & CO., PRINTERS. 



TO MY UNCLE, 



WATSON COMLY, 



AS A MARK OF RESPECT FOR HIS MANY EXCELLENT 



QUALITIES OF HEAD AND HEART, 



AS WELL AS FOR HIS EARNEST ENDEAVORS TO PRESERVE THE 



HISTORY OF HIS NATIVE PLACE 



This Volume 



IS AFFECTIONATELY DEDICATED BY 



THE AUTHOK. 



1* 



PREFACE. 



In presenting this History of the townships of 
Byberry and Morelancl to the public, a few words 
in reference to it will not be out of place here. 
The late Isaac Comly, of Byberry, was exceed- 
ingly fond of local history, and spent a great por- 
tion of his time in collecting and arranging all 
matters of local interest that came to his notice. 
He kept a regular account of all the more im- 
portant events which transpired in these and the 
adjoining townships, from about 1810 to the time 
of his decease, in 1847. Some years previous to 
his death, with the material then on hand, he 
wrote a history of Byberry, which, however, was 
never published. After his death, the manuscript 
passed into the hands of his executors, Watson 
Comly, Charles B. Comly, and Dr. Isaac Comly. 
It was, however, far from being complete, and 
after some consultation we concluded to collect 
8uch additional matter as could be obtained and 



Vlll PREFACE. 

have it published. We therefore commenced the 
work in earnest, and after much labor and not a 
little trouble, on account of the indifference mani- 
fested by many persons, we have so far succeeded 
as now to be able to present a connected history 
of these townships from their earliest settlement 
by the whites to the pi^esent time. 

In writing this history we have been influenced 
entirely by a desire to preserve many valuable 
historical records and interesting reminiscences 
connected with olden times, and have not " set 
down aught in malice" to any one. 

The work embraces not only a history of the 
townships but also a sketch of their topography, 
geolog}^, and mineralogy, a few biographical 
sketches of prominent individuals who resided in 
them, and a genealogical account of the Bolton, 
Carver, Comly, Duffield, Gilbert, Knight, Martin- 
dale, Saurman, Thornton, Tomlinson, Walmsley, 
Shearer, and Worthington families. 

I cannot close this, however, without expressing 
m}'' obligations to Watson Comly and Isaac C. 
Martindale, both of Byberry, for the interest they 
have manifested in this history ; to the former I 
am indebted for such information and assistance 
as could nowhere else have been obtained, and 
which has added much to the interest of these 



PREFACE. IX 

pages; to the latter, who first engaged ia pre- 
paring this history, and who has spent much tima 
and labor in hunting up old manuscripts, &c., too 
much credit cannot be given for the valuable as- 
sistance he has thus rendered. 

We are well aware that this history is incom- 
plete, and that mistakes in it have undoubtedly 
been made, but, as it is, we give it to the public, 
hoping that they may find much pleasure in pe- 
rusing its records and reminiscences of bygone 
times. 



CONTENTS. 



From the Earliest Settlements to the Close of the Revo- 
lution, 13 

Churches, 84 

Preachers of Byberry Meeting, . . . . .94 

Schools, 100 

Assessments, ......... 124 

Events relating to the War of 1812, . . . .126 

Agriculture, 129 

Roads, 137 

Post-Offices, 138 

Overseers of the Poor, 140 

Byberry Library, 142 

Burial Places, 144 

Philosophical Society, 152 

Adelphian Society, 154 

Distinguished Citizens, . . . . . , . 155 
Authors, . . . . - . , . . . . 156 

Diseases, . 158 

Mills, 160 

New County, 163 

Remarkable Occurrences, ...... 164 

Large Trees, 166 

Big Woman, 168 

Births and Deaths, 171' 

Notes from old Manuscripts, 172 

Miscellaneous, 178 

Topography, Geology, &c., 196 

Villages, 202 



Xll CONTENTS. 

PAOE 

Biographical Sketches, 209 

Bolton Family, . . . ' 233 

Carver Family, 243 

Comly Family, 250 

Duffield Family, 284 

Gilbert Family, . 289 

Knight Family, . 299 

Martindale Family, ' 319 

Saurman Family, 326 

Townsend Family, 330 

Thornton Family, 334 

Walmsley Family, 336 

Walton Family, 347 

Worthington Family, 362 

Tomlinson Family, 369 

Shearer Family, 374 

Conclusion, 377 



THE HISTORY 



OP 



BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 



PAET I. 



FROM THE EARLIEST SETTLEMENTS TO THE CLOSE 
OF THE REVOLUTION. 

Although North America was discovered by 
the Cabots in the year 1497, and the whole coast 
was explored by contemporary navigators, yet the 
Delaware River was unknown to the civilized 
world until Henry Hudson, in 1607, made a visit 
to the coast and revealed its existence. This dis- 
tinguished navigator spent several months in care- 
fully exploring every bay and inlet along the coast, 
and was amply rewarded for his toil in the discov- 
ery of the two noble streams — the Delaware and 
the Hudson — between the thirty-sixth and forty- 
second degrees of north latitude, and the bay which 
bears his name further to the north. These dis- 
coveries made him justly celebrated as a navigator, 
and will serve as lasting monuments of his glory. 

2 



l-t THE HISTORY OF 

The Hudson Eiver Avas named the ISTorth, and the 
Delaware the South River. The name of the latter, 
however, was changed to Delaware, in honor of 
Lord Delaware, who sailed into the bay in the 
year 1610. At Avhat time the first European en- 
tered the river is not now known, but in Eogger- 
veen's map of New Netherlands, printed at Am- 
sterdam in 1676, the course of the Delaware River, 
with most of its tributaries, among which is the 
Poquessing, is delineated with considerable accu- 
racy. 

The settlement of Pennsylvania is generally con- 
sidered as having been commenced in 1681 by Wil- 
liam Penn, but the Dutch and Swedes had made 
settlements on the western bank of the Delaware 
previous to that time, and had given to the coun- 
try now embraced in Delaware, Chester, Philadel- 
phia and Bucks Counties, the name of " Upland 
County.^' William Penn changed this name to that 
of Chester soon after his arrival, and some time in 
the same year, the exact date of which is not 
known, he divided it into three counties, — Chester, 
Philadelphia, and Bucks. We find no account of 
any Swedish settlements having been made in the 
vicinity of Byberry, but it is quite probable that 
some such settlements were made, as we find in 
the list of " overseers for the highways nominated 
and elected by the Court, March 14th, 1682, for one 
year next ensuing, which is to be done within their 
respective precincts before the last day of May 
' ut sequitur,^ the name of Erick Mullikay, as over- 
seer for the district extending from Tawrony (Ta- 



BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 15 

~5^ cony) Creek to Poynessink (Poquessing) Creek/' 
That there was a settlement made in Bjberry pre- 
vious to the arrival of Penn there can be but little 
doubt ; and we learn from a communication made 
by Benjamin Kite to Eoberts Yaux, that the Wal- 
ton family settled within the limits of Byberry in 
the year 1675, seven years before Penn arrived in 
America. This family consisted of four brothers, 
Nathaniel, Thomas, Daniel, and William, Tvho were 
all young and single men. They gave to the place 
the name of Bj^berry, in honor of their native 
town, near Bristol, in England. They arrived at 
New Castle, from England, early in 1675, provided 
with axes, hoes, &c., ready for making a settlement 
in the wilderness. From New Castle th ey proceeded 
along the Delaware in search of a place for a set- 
tlement, and carried their whole stock of utensils, 
provisions, &c., on their backs. After some time 
spent in examining the country, they arrived at 
the Poquessing Creek, and were so highly pleased 
with the level lands in that vicinity, the abundance 
of good water, and the beautiful appearance of the 
country, that they determined upon making a set- 
tlement near the banks of that stream. 

Having neither the time nor the means for erect- 
ing a dwelling, they dug a cave in the earth and 
covered it with bark and dirt, in which they re- 
sided for several months, w^hile they proceeded to 
prepare the land for their crops. Not having any 
wheat with which to sow their lands, two of the 
brothers, in the latter part of the same summer, 
walked to New Castle to procure a bushel of wheat 



16 THE HISTORY OF 

for seed; and, shouldering a half a bushel each, 
they carried it all the way home, a distance of 
nearly fifty miles. The land, for want of other 
utensils, was prepared with hoes, and the bushel of 
wheat sown, from which it is said they reaped sixty 
bushels at the next harvest. This was probably 
the first wheat ever raised in the townships. 

In 1678 we find there was surveyed to Peter 
Eambo, Jr., a tract called " Eamsdorp," extending 
from the Pennypack northeastwardly along the 
Delaware, and which contained three hundred 
acres. In the preceding year (1677), warrants 
were issued to Ephraim Herman, Pelle Eambo, and 
Captain Hans Moens, for three hundred acres each 
(making nine hundred acres); and, in 1678, to 
Ephraim Herman (who, in the following year, re- 
linquished his right to Laers Laersen), for the re- 
mainder of the land between the Pennypack and 
Poquessing Creeks. Poquessing is mentioned by 
Campanius as an Indian village, in which presided 
a chief or sachem. Its precise location has been 
lost, but was probably near the Byberry Creek, not 
far from Eeuben Parry's meadow, as several Indian 
utensils and implements have been found in that 
vicinity. 

How many had settled in Byberry previous to 
1682, is not now known, but in November, 1677, 
the whole number of taxables north of the Schuyl- 
kill, including every male inhabitant of twenty-one 
years of age, amounted to sixty-five, and these 
were scattered over the whole country between 
that river and the Neshaminy Creek. Among 



BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 17 

these we find the names of Lansey Bore, Hans 
Liken, and Andrew Benksen, }3robably persons of 
some note. Our accounts of these settlements are 
indeed meagre, yet there can be no doubt that such 
settlements were made, and that they continued 
until William Penn, on account of services ren- 
dered the crown of England by his father, Admiral 
Penn, received the grant of Pennsylvania in letters- 
patent from King Charles II, dated the 4th of 
March (May), 1681. In this grant the townships 
of Byberry and Moreland were included. Penn 
did not consider the grant of these lands from the 
king a sufficient title ; therefore he purchased them 
from the Indians, in whose possession they were at 
that time, and they accordingly gave him a release 
from their claims. Those having reference to the 
tracts of land of which Byberry and Moreland 
formed a part were as follows : 

We, Essepanaike, Swanpees, Okettarico, and 
Wessapoet, this 23d day of 4 month, called June, 
in ye year according to ye English accoifnt, 1683, 
for us and o'r heirs and assigns, do grant and dis- 
pose of all our lands lying betwixt Pemmapecka 
and ISTesheminck Creeks, and all along Nesheminck 
Creek, and backward of same, and to run two days 
journey with a horse up into ye country as ye said 
river doth goe, To William Penn, Proprietor and 
Govern'r of ye Province of Pensilvania, &c., His 
Heirs and Assigns for ever, for ye consideration of 
so much Wampum, and so many Gruns, shoes, stock- 
ings, Looking-glasses, Blankets and other goods, as 

2* 



18 THEHISTORYOF 

ye said William Penn shall be pleased to give unto 
us, hereby, for us, o'r heirs and assigns, Eemoving 
all claims or Demands of anything in or for ye 
Premise for ye future, from him, His heirs and as- 
signs. In Witness whereof we have hereunto sett 
o'r hands and seals, ye day and year first above 
written. Sealed and delivered in presence of 
*■ Lasse Cock, Menane, 

Philip Th. Lehnman, IIittoken, 

PiETER Cock, Eichard, 

Jos. CURTEIS, ShOCKHANNO. 

The mark of X Essepenaike, 
The mark of X Swanpees, 
The mark of X Okettarickow, 
The mark of X AVessapoat. 



I, Tamanen, 23 da}" of 4 month, called June in ye 
year according to ye English account, 1683, for 
me, my heirs and assigns, do grant and dispose of 
all my lands lying betwixt Pemmapecka and Nesh- 
amincks Creeks, and all along Neshamincks Creek, 
to William Penn, Propriet'r and Governor of Pen- 
silvania, &c., his heirs and Assigns for Ever, for ye 
Consideration of so much Wampum, so many guns, 
shoes, stockings, Looking-glasses, Blankctts, and 
other goods, as he, ye said William Penn, shall 
please to give unto me : and my Parcell being much 
smaller than Ossepenaikes and Swanpees, Hereb}^ 
for me, my heirs and Assigns, renouncing all claims 
or demands, of or in, and for ye future, from Him, 
his heirs and Assigns. In Witness whereof I have 



BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 19 

hereunto sett my hand and seal, je day and year 
first above written. 

Tammanens, X his mark. 

Eeceived, moreover, all matchcoats, stockings, 
shirts and blankets, besides several guilders in sil- 
ver, and I acknowledge I have sold all my lands as 
above. 

Lasse Cock, John Blunston, Jos. Curteis. 

Indians present. 
EicHARD, Shockhupio, Messamequon. 

The mark of X Tammanens. 
Witness — Crilbert Hilleeler. 

23 of ye 4 7nonth, 1683. 

We, Tammanen and Metamequan, do hereby 
acknowledge to have received of William Penn, 
Propriet'r and Govern'r of Pensilvania, &c., these 
following goods, being the consideration for our 
tract of land Betwixt and about Pemmapecka and 
Neshaminck Creeks, and all along Neshaminck 
Creek, sold and granted unto ye said William Penn, 
Propriet'r and Govern'r, &c., as by a deed dated ye 
23 of ye 4 month, in ye year 1683, doth more plain 
appear, bearing ye date hereof, with w'h Ave doe 
hereb}^ hold o'selves fully contented and satisfied. 

5 p. Stockings, 16 knives, 10 Glasses, 20 fish- 
hooks, 20 Barrs Lead, 100 Needles, 5 Capps, 10 
Tobacco Tongs, 10 Tobacco Boxes, 15 Combs, 5 
Hoes, 10 pr. Sissers, 6 Coats, 2 Guns, 9 Gimbletts, 
7 half Gills, 8 Shirts, 2 Kettles, 6 Axes, 2 Blan- 



20 THEHISTORYOF 

ketts, 4 Handsfull Bells, 12 awles, 5 Halts, 20 

HandsfiiU of Wampum, 25 lbs. powder, 4 gal. 

Strong Water, 38 yds. Duffills, and 1 peck Pipes. 

In Witness whereof we have hereunto sett o'r 

Hands. 

Tammanen, X his mark. 

Metamequan, X his mark. 

Among the settlers who came over in the ship 
''Welcome," which left England 8 mo. 30, 1682, 
and arrived at New Castle on the Delaware, two 
months afterwards, and who settled in Byberry, 
were Giles Knight, from Gloucestershire, Marj^, his 
wife, and their son Joseph, and John Carver, malt- 
ster, from Hertfordshire, Mary, his wife, and their 
daughter, Mary, who was born near Philadelphia 
four days after landing at New Castle. About the 
same time John Hart, his wife Susannah, and sev- 
eral children, arrived from Oxfordshire; Eichard 
Collett, with his wife Elizabeth, and Josiah Ellis, 
also arrived, and all located within the present lim- 
its of Byberry. Some time during the next year 
(1683) John Eush, an elderly Friend from Oxford- 
shire, arrived with his family, consisting of five 
sons and one daughter. One son, William, brought 
his wife Aurelia and three children. Soon after 
this we find the name of Nicholas Moore men- 
tioned as having taken up a tract of land contain- 
ing 10,000 acres, and which embraced the manor of 
Mooreland, which has since been divided into 
Upper and Lower Mooreland. We also find the 
names of Thomas Knight, half brother to Giles, 



BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 21 

Samuel Ellis, Thomas Groome, Henry English, 
Joseph English, AVilliam Hibbs, Walter Forrest, 
William Nichols and wife, and John Gilbert, Flor- 
ence, his wife, and their son Joseph. Most of these 
settled in B^'berry at once; but a few of them 
settled in the adjacent parts of Bensalem, and after- 
wards moved over the creek. Their names fre- 
quently occur in the records of the Society of 
Friends previous to 1685. Most of these early 
settlers took up large tracts of land, which were 
laid off in the form of parallelograms, from forty 
to eighty perches wide, and extending in a north- 
westerly direction from the Poquessing, across By- 
berry to near the road now the Byberry turnpike. 
They were subject to innumerable hardships in 
their attempts to settle the new country, some of 
them dwelling in caves or excavations* in the earth, 
which the Indians taught them how to construct: 
and Giles Knight, it is said, lived about six weeks 
by the side of an old log, near the present location 
of Knight's mill-dam, without any shelter except 
the blue canopy of heaven. The Indians after- 
wards taught him how to construct a wigwam, 
which was erected in a meadow now belono-ins; to 
Jacob Eckfeldt, where he resided several months, 
and until he built a log house near the location of 

* These caves were dug in the ground to the depth of about 
three feet, the roofs were formed of timber, limbs of trees, &c., 
and were usually coA'ered with sod or bark, and the chimneys were 
built of stone, mortared with clay, <fee. They were damp and 
gloomy abodes, yet served to protect their inmates from the 
weather. 



22 THE HISTORY OF 

the present mansion. The intercourse between the 
early settlers and the Indians was of the most 
friendly kind, and they lived together like broth- 
ers, assisting each other in times of distress, and 
each trying to outvie the other in their endeavors 
to promote the comfort and happiness of all. The 
Indians seem to have been fully sensible of the 
honorable motives of the settlers, and to have acted 
accordingly by welcoming them to the lands they 
bad purchased. They taught our forefathers how 
to construct their wigwams, build canoes, cultivate 
corn, beans, pumpkins, and other vegetables ; and 
in return, the colonists paid the Indians for all they 
obtained, and uniformly treated them with kind- 
ness. Game was indeed plenty; but the whites 
knew not how to capture it; and the streams 
abounded with the most excellent fish, which re- 
quired only the trouble of catching. The food of 
the settlers was plain; and often the only dish they 
could offer was fish and pumpkins — a dish which 
would not be very palatable to the people of this 
epicurean age. 

At certain seasons, however, provisions were 
plenty. Wild pigeons were in such great abund- 
ance that they could be knocked down with poles ; 
and as the settlers became more accustomed to 
hunting, they procured plenty of wild turkeys, 
some of which weighed from thirty-five to forty 
pounds, and sold as low as one shilling each. Deer 
were killed in such numbers that they were sold for 
2s. apiece. 

With all these natural surroundings, it is not 



BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 23 

surprising that such a beautiful place as the banks 
of the romantic Poquessing should have been se- 
lected for a settlement — 

"Where homes of humble form and structure rude, 
Raised sweet society in Nature's solitude." 

Although the rude cabin of the white settler dotted 
the course of the streams, and the land was grad- 
ually being reclaimed from its uncultivated state, 
yet the wild animals of the forest still lingered 
around the settlements, and the fox's bark, the pan- 
ther's cry, or wolf's lugubrious howl, often broke 
the stillness of the night, and Nature reigned here 
in all her pristine grandeur. In the magnificent 
beauties of these surrounding solitudes, doubtless, 
our forefathers saw much to draw them still closer 
to the Author of their own existences, and make 
them feel their utter dependence upon His protect- 
ing arm. 

In those early times the settlers labored under 
all the inconveniences of an unsettled country. 
They had no flour-mills to grind their corn or 
wheat, but had to pound it in wooden or stone mor- 
tars, after the manner of the aborigines. They at 
first dwelt in damp and gloomy caves, but these 
were soon given up for the greater comforts of rude 
cabins; and these, again, were in time replaced by 
log-houses covered with bark or thatched with 
straw, and which made very comfortable dwell- 
ings, yet would contrast strangely with the edifices 
of modern times. 

The men were at first dressed in the skins of the 



24 THEHISTORYOF 

wild animals; but in a short time the women, who 
were noted for their industry, by means of spin- 
ning and weaving, furnished them with garments 
more in accordance with their tastes. Cattle were 
soon introduced, and mush and milk becam^e a fa- 
vorite dish. To this was added honey from the 
wild bees, and molasses and sugar from the sugar 
maple trees. Horses were introduced soon after 
the settlement, and the comforts and conveniences 
of civilized life were thus one by one added to their 
wilderness homes. 

In those early days, how^ever, women were by 
no means numerous, and many of our forefathers 
had, for years after they first arrived, to do with- 
out " heaven's last, best gift " — a lovely wife, to be 
the partner of all their toils, to comfort them in 
their desolate homes, to prepare for them their 
humble fare, and welcome them with untold affec- 
tion to their rude domestic hearths. The suffer- 
ings and hardships attendant upon the settlement 
of a new country were too great for her delicate 
constitution ; and the absence of all the domestic 
comforts, as found in her British home, effectually 
precluded her leaving her kindred for this bleak 
clime; but as the country became more settled, 
and comfort after comfort was added to the con- 
dition of those early settlers, she tore herself from 
kindred and loving friends, braved the storms of 
the billowy deep, and took up her residence in the 
wilds of Penns3ivania. Oh, how joyfull}^ must she 
have been welcomed by those hardy sons of toil, 
the early pioneers ! 



BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 25 

During the scarcity of females, few were left un- 
married, and it was indeed rare to find one still 
single who had attained to the age of twenty years. 
Those that were here must have been happy, al- 
though deprived of so many comforts, for "wives 
were then never jealous of their husbands/' and 
all dwelt together in the greatest harmony. The 
children were generally healthy; the active life 
which they led, and the plainness of their fare, 
made their cheeks glow with the roseate hue of 
health, and their frames became as strong and 
robust as those of their neighbors and compan- 
ions, the hardy sons of the forest. Then nearly 
every cabin was filled with a lusty race of those 
who were soon to reclaim the uncultivated soil, 
convert it into fine fertile farms, and help to rear 
a settlement, where the persecuted of every clime 
might find a happj^ refuge, and where all might 
dwell together in unity and peace. 

The Indians welcomed the early settlers of By- 
berry, and were ever ready and willing to lend 
their white neighbors a helping hand when in dis- 
tress. On one occasion, John Carver made a jour- 
ney to Chester, and left his family with provisions j 
which he thought sufficient to last them during 
his absence ; but, from some unforeseen circum- 
stances, he was detained longer than was expected, 
and his wife, with their two children, was reduced 
to great distress for want of food. Under these ( 
circumstances she applied to a party of neighbor- 
ing Indians for assistance. They treated her with 
much kindness, furnished her with some provisions 

3 



26 THE HISTORY OF 

to relieve her immediate wants, and, taking off the 
■) little boys' trowsers, tied np the legs and filled 
them with corn, to be carried home for a further 
supply. At another time, Giles Knight and Josiah 
Ellis went among them to procure some beans and 
other vegetables ; these were kindly furnished, 
along with instructions for cultivating them. For 
these many acts of kindness they neither asked 
nor received any recompense ; they were satisfied 
with having relieved the wants of their friends, 
and their reward was the sweet consolation of 
having performed a charitable act. Many other 
; things, equally honorable to the Indian character, 
^ might be narrated, for the friendly intercourse be- 
l tween the whites and their red neighbors was 
\ never so far broken as to cause one act of violence 
/ to be committed by either party, until after the 
J peaceful principles of the early settlers were for- 
\ gotten. 

Before the first settlers left England, Penn had 
decided upon founding a city on the banks of the 
noble Delaware. Accordingly, soon after their 
arrival, the commissioners went on a tour up that 
beautiful stream in order to fix upon the site for 
the future city. Several places seem to have at- 
tracted their attention, and, among others, that 
in the southern part of Byberry, at the mouth 
of the Poquessing.* They Avere much pleased 
with the bold shore at this sj)ot, and had nearly 

* The land along the Poquessing clear to the river, is believed to 
have been included in Byberry at the time of the first settlement. 



BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 27 

concluded to found here the city of Brotherly 
Love, when, having in their minds the future 
greatness of the city they were ahout to found, 
they wisely concluded that a greater depth of 
water in the channel was advisable, so as to admit 
the passage of larger ships, and this alone deter- 
mined them to fix it where it now stands. 

At the time of the first settlement, the town- 
ships of By berry and Moreland were noted hunt- 
ing grounds of the Indians; and -in order to facili- 
tate securing the game, they were in the habit of 
setting fire to the rank grass that grew indigen- 
ously in all parts of the tOAvnships, and thus de- 
stroyed all the young timber. TVe find, as proof 
of this, that at the time of the first settlement 
there were but few large trees, scarcely enough to 
furnish firewood for the settlers, and that the divi- 
sion lines between the tracts were made by means 
of embankments and ditches — some of which are 
still visible. Some portions in the southern part 
were under cultivation by the Indians, but the 
northern parts of Byberry and the whole of More- 
land, were covered with the tall grass. The set- 
tlers did not burn this off, as the Indians had done, 
and in a few years the whole surface, except where 
cultivated, was covered with a growth of fine tim- 
ber. Two large trees are mentioned as having 
stood, one on the lower end of the place now be- 
longing to Watson Comly, and the other about 
Samuel Sniedley's, and these served as w^ay-marks 
for the people. It is said that Joseph Knight, 
who was brought from England in 1682, at the age 



28 THEHISTORYOF 

of two years, was afterwards frequently sent, 
while a boy, in search of the cows, which, for 
want of fences, often strayed away, and that when 
he lost his way he would ascend some eminence 
and look out for these two trees, which served as 
guides to direct him home again. 

The first houses were generally erected near 
springs or running streams, to save the expense 
and trouble of digging wells. We find no account 
of the latter having been dug for several years after 
the first settlement, and when first introduced they 
occasioned much conversation among the settlers. 

Penn, in his conditions for the settlement of 
Pennsylvania, said that those who bought shares 
in the province could have five thousand acres for 
£100 sterling, but would be annually subject to a 
quit-rent of one shilling sterling, for each one 
hundred acres — the quit-rent not to begin until 
1684. On this account the land of the whole coun- 
try became subject to a quit-rent, which was to 
be paid to the Proprietor, or his legal heirs, and 
which continued to be paid until 1775, when 
the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania purchased 
the claims for 580,000 dollars, and all quit-rents 
ceased. 

[1682.] During this year provisions were scarce 
in the colony, and the best dish that could be set 
before visitors was fish and pum2:)kins, — a dish to 
most of us rather unpalatable. In the summer a 
good suppl}" of horses, cows, sheep, and hogs ar- 
rived from England, which were soon followed by 
others, so that in a few years enough had arrived 



BYBERRY AND MOREL AND. 29 

to stock all the farms and furnish food for the col- 
onists. 

As we have already seen, a number of persons 
arrived during this year and settled in Byberry, 
the land there having been taken up in small tracts 
of from one hundred to five hundred acres each. 
In the manor of Moreland the plan was different, 
for the whole of it was taken up by Nicholas 
Moore,* a prominent attorney of London, and 
being held by him until his death in 1689, we find 
no mention of any other persons settling in that 
township previous to that time. Moore was presi- 
dent of a company called "The Free Society of 
Traders in Pennsylvania," the object of which was 
"to purchase lands to make an agricultural settle- 
ment, to establish manufactures, and carry on the 
lumber trade, and whale fisheries." He came over 
with Penn, in 1682, and was chairman or speaker 
of the first Provisional Assembl^^, held at Chester, 
on the 4th of December of that year. He was 
a man of superior abilities; and from having the 
confidence of William Penn, who placed him in 
the most responsible positions in the colony, his 
name is identified with much of our early history, 
and will be remembered while Moreland, with its 
fine fertile fields and happy people, continues to 
exist. 

[1683.] Nearly all the early settlers of Byberry 

* William Penn, on the 7th of Sixth month, 1684, conveyed to 
Nicholas Moore a tract of land in Philadelphia, containing ten 
thousand acres. This embraced what is now Moreland in Phila- 
delphia and Montgomery Counties. 

3^ 



30 THE HISTORY OF 

were members of the Society of Friends; and one 
of their first objects, after settling, was to have a 
place where they could meet together in love and 
unity, and worship the God of their fathers in spirit 
and in truth. Tradition says that Friends built a 
log meeting-house on the flat lands belonging to 
John Hart, near the present residence of Wilmer 
Canelle, about one hundred j^ards northward from 
the junction of Poquessing and Byberry Creeks, 
in the southern part of the township. It stood on 
the west side of the road now leading to the Eed 
Lion. It is said that a lot adjoining the meeting- 
house was fenced oflP during this year, to be used 
as a burying ground by Friends, but every vestige 
of both has long since passed away. Previous to 
this two of Griles Knight's children died, and were 
buried on his own land near the Poquessing Creek, 
not far from the present location of Knight's mill- 
dam. 

In the Fifth month of this year, at a Quarterly 
Meeting of Friends in Philadelphia, " It was then 
and there agreed and concluded that there be es- 
tablished a First-day meeting of Friends at Took- 
any and Poetquessink, and that these two make 
one Monthly Meeting, men and women, for ye or- 
dering of ye affairs of ye church." The Monthly 
Meeting was accordingly held alternately at the 
house of Sarah Seary, at Oxford, and at John 
Hart's house, on the Poquessing. Soon after this 
meeting commenced, a lot of about one acre, a few 
yards northward of Hart's house, on the rising 
ground, was set apart as a place of interment for 



BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 31 

Friends and others.* This was used as a burying 
place for all the settlers until the separation, after 
which it was used only by the followers of Keith. 
Among those buried in this ancient cemetery were 
Aurelia, wife of William Eush, in 1683; Thomas 
Young, 1684; M^y Borman, 1685; Joseph Eng- 
lish, 1686; Christopher Growden, Bensalem, 1687; 
and William Eush, 1688. 

[1684.] One of the first papers issued by Byberry 
Monthly Meeting, on the Poquessing, was a mar- 
riage certificate granted to James Morris and 
Elizabeth Buzby, who formerly belonged to By- 
berry, but who had lately removed to the Falls of 
Delaware. It is preserved for its antiquity, aiid is 
as follows : 

To Friends of ye Monthly Meeting about ye Falls of 
Delaware^ in ye County of Bucks : 

Whereas, James Morris and Elizabeth Buzby, 
who formerly belonged to our meeting, did, in the 
Seventh month, appear at our monthly meeting 
and declare their intentions of marriage, and they 
did produce certificates and testimony sufficient to 
satisfy us of their clearness; and after deliberation 

* John Hart, grandson of the ancient John Hart, in 1786, be- 
queathed this ancient cemetery to the township of Byberry in the 
following words : "I give and devise to the overseers of the poor in 
the township of Byberry, in the county of Philadelphia, who shall 
be such at the time of my decease, and to their successors, forever, 
a certain burying ground lot of one acre of land, which was con- 
veyed to me by my late grandfather, deceased, the same to be occu- 
pied as a burying ground forever." 



32 THE HISTORY OF 

and inquiry, we did permit them to proceed to ac- 
complish their marriage. But so yt they have been 
from us absent, we are informed yt they belong to 
your meeting, and now they desire a certificate 
from us. 

These are to certify that thus far they have pro- 
ceeded, and we have not anything against ym to 
obstruct ym to your meeting, in order to ye accom- 
plishing their marriage, and we remain your 
Friends and Brethren. 

At our Monthly Meeting at John Hart's house, 
Poetquessink creek, in ye county of Philadelj)hia, 
ye 2d of ye 4th mo., 1684. 

John Carver, Sam'l Hart, 

elghard townsend, joseph english, 
Henry Waddy, Ann Townsend, 

Tho. Kitchen, Giles Knight, 

Rich'd Dungworth, Will'm Preston, 

Walter Forrest, Sam'l Ellis, 

John Hart, Ann Sessions, 

Dorothy Dungworth. 

The early Friends seem to^have felt their iso- 
lated condition, living, as they did, in the wilds of 
Pennsylvania, with but few persons near enough 
to be called neighbors, and to have been fully sen- 
sible of their dependence upon each other, which 
acted like a chain to bind them more firmly to- 
gether in the pure bonds of love. When a mis- 
fortune befell one of their neighbors, all were ready 
with their services or their means to relieve their 
wants, or with them shed the sympathetic tear. 



BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 33 

The records of the meeting show the benevolence 
of those early settlers, whom, although living a 
life of penury and toil themselves, we find entering 
into an agreement to pay four shillings per week 
for the support of William Nichols, " on account 
of his penur}^" 

[1685.] It would seem that some were desirous 
of having a larger lot of ground for a cemetery 
than the one at John Hart's, for in this year a min- 
ute of the Monthly Meeting, dated 5th mo. 28th, 
says : " Friends did freel}^ accept of ten acres of 
land given by Walter Forrest, for a burying place 
for the service of Friends, near Poetquessink creek, 
and it is left to the trust and care of Joseph Fisher, 
John Hart, Samuel Ellis and Giles Knight, to get 
the ground conveyed, the deed of conveyance to be 
made from Walter Forrest to themselves, for the 
only use and behoof of Friends forever, and that 
from henceforth it shall be made use of for the ser- 
vice aforesaid." As no further mention of this 
donation has been found, it is doubtful Avh ether it 
was ever applied to the purpose intended, and its 
location cannot now with certainty be known. It 
is, however, probable that it was on the Poques- 
sing, not far from Thomas's mill, which was at that 
time owned by Forrest. In his last will and test- 
ament, dated 1st mo. 18th, 1691-2, Forrest be- 
queathed a mill and lands situated in the township 
of Byberry, one-half to his wife, and the other half 
to three persons named Albertson, but in it we find 
no mention made of the ten acres. 

Although the Monthl}^ Meeting of Friends at 



34 THEHISTORYOF 

B^^berry bad been bold at Jobn Hart's since 1683, 
yet the weekly meetings for worship continued to 
be held at the house of Giles Knight, until the 4th 
month of this year, when the Monthly Meeting 
ordered it to be removed to the house of John 
Hart. No reason is assigned for this change ; and 
as the location was not bj^any means so central as 
when held at Knight's, it is probable that it was 
through the influence of Hart, who was then the 
leading Friend in Byberry. It. however, shows 
that Friends would then rather suffer inconveni- 
ence, than disturb the peace and harmony of the 
Society. 

Some time during the summer of this year, 
Nicholas Moore commenced the erection of a man- 
sion in the manor of Moreland, at a place he called 
Green Spring, about half a mile west of the present 
village of Somerton. This mansion is said to have 
been fur superior to those in the surrounding coun- 
try, and to have been built in correspondence with 
his official dignity as speaker of the first Assembly 
of Pennsylvania. The house was near a spring of 
excellent water, which, as it trickled away, kej)t 
the grass green along its banks, hence the origin 
of its name. It was the first house erected within 
the present limits of Moreland. One account says, 
" AVhile he was Chief Justice, he erected a court- 
house and jail near his residence at Green Sj^ring, 
where those who disregarded the law^s were tried, 
and the guilty culprits punished ; but owing to the 
general good morals of the inhabitants the jail 
seldom had any inmates." 



BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 35 

[1686.] After the meetings for public worship 
were removed to John Hart's house, the distance 
proved too great for many Friends living in the 
northern parts of the township, and, in order to 
accommodate them, it was decreed that a meeting 
be held once a month, on First days, at the house 
of Henry English,* so that two meetings for wor- 
ship were, for a time, held in Byberry. The local- 
ities of these meetings appear to have been unsat- 
isfactory, and frequent changes were the result. In 
this year, at a Quarterly Meeting of Friends, it 
was agreed that a Monthly Meeting should be held 
at Byberry, Oxford and Cheltenham, " in course," 
the last week in each month, and on the days of 
the respective weekly meetings, that at Byberry 
coming on Fourth day. The time and place for 
this meeting were not satisfactory, and it was 
agreed, during the First month of the next year, 
PI po7 -1 "to hold the monthly meetings at the house 
of Eichard Worrel, Jr., and the time of 
meeting was changed to the last Second day of 
each and every month, to which place it was ac- 
cordingly soon after removed. 

From this time until 1691 the accounts preserved 
are very meagre. A few new settlers arrived from 
England, and the condition of those who were al- 
ready here was gradually improving. There ap- 
pears to have been a reciprocal exercise of friendly 
feelings and good understanding among them, and 



* This house is thought to have stood near a spring of water on 
lands now owned by Silas Vanarsdalen. 



36 THE HISTORY OF 

through the blessings of Divine Providence upon 
their industry and prudent management, their 
temporal affairs were daily improving, and cheer- 
ing prospects of untold wealth were opening 
around them. The young men who came over in a 
state of single blessedness had taken to themselves 
affectionate partners, and settled on the fine lands 
in the township, and large families of loving chil- 
dren were growing up around them, so that but 
little was wanted to fill up their measure of hap- 
piness, and make their condition as desirable as 
could reasonably be expected to fall to the lot of 
mortals; but earthly enjoyments, like all other 
earthly things, must find an end, and we learn that 
difficulties and dissensions began to spring up in 
the colony, and, by the year 1691, had increased to 
such an extent as to involve nearly the w^hole of 
the inhabitants in a bitter discussion of religious 
principles. This was not confined to Byberry, but 
spread all over Pennsylvania, and involved the 
Society of Friends in much trouble. These dis- 
sensions appear to have originated through the 
agency of George Keith, Avho then resided in 
Philadelphia. He had been an eminent 
'- '-' minister and writer, and being a man of 
extensive learning, had gained many followers. He 
desired to make some radical changes in the disci- 
pline and the doctrines held by the Society, which 
they were not willing to adopt. He was, there- 
fore, warned of his conduct by some Friends, 
which was not well received, and he finally with- 
drew from the Society. After this, a declaration 



BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 37 

was issued by his supporters in his favor, who then 
proceeded to disown those who testified against 
him. Such was the influence exerted, that they 
gained the ascendency in sixteen out of thirty-two 
meetings. In Eyberry, the leading advocate of 
Keith and his doctrines was John Hart, who owned 
a tract of land containing four hundred and eighty- 
four acres in the southern part of Byberry, and was 
in respectable circumstances. He had been several 
times elected a member of the Assembly, and is 
described as having been a man of rank, charac- 
ter, and reputation, and to have been an eminent 
preacher. He early embraced the views held by 
Keith, and from his influence and connections, drew 
the Rushes, Colletts, and the most of those living 
in the southern part of Byberry to his support. 
The burial ground was on his farm, and the house 
for worship near his residence, so that, on account 
of these difiiculties. Friends were induced to with- 
draw from the Meeting, and afterwards assembled 
at the house of Henry English. 

Those who remained at the old meeting were 
John Hart, John Rush, Nathaniel Walton, and 
Richard Collett, with their families, and some 
others by the name of Johnson, Jackson, and Fos- 
ter. Those who seceded are mentioned as Giles 
Knight, John Carver, Daniel Walton, Thomas 
Walton, William Walton, Henry English, Thomas 
Knight, John Gilbert, William Hibbs, John Brock, 
Thomas Groome, and others. 

The Keithian meeting appears to have been un- 
successful, and after two or three years it was 

4 



38 THEHISTORYOF 

broken up — the adherents joining other religions 
persuasions. Some became Episcopalians, and as- 
sisted in founding a church called "All Saints'," 
in Lower Dublin ; while others, becoming Bap- 
tists, but retaining the dress and language of the 
Quakers, were called Quaker Baptists. Some of 
these again changed into Seventh-day Baptists, 
and were the originators of that sect. 

Notwithstanding the long term of controversy 
and discord through which the infant Meeting had 
just passed, it still continued to survive, and soon 
outgrew all its troubles. As Friends had seen fit 
to withdraw from Hart's meeting, they did not 
feel willing to bury their deceased Friends in the 
cemetery on his farm; therefore, we find that 
Henry English, one of the most prominent mem- 
bers remaining with the Society, did, on the 2d 
of the 1st month, give one acre of land to John 
Carver and Daniel Walton, in trust for Friends. 
P^ PQ . The deed specifies that " the said one acre 
is for the use of the people of God, called 
Quakers, who are and shall be and continue in 
unity and religious fellowship with Friends of 
Truth, and shall belong to the Monthly Meeting 
of said people, for whose use the said piece of 
ground is intended to be employed as a burying- 
place, and to no other use or service whatsoever ; 
provided always, that it is the true intent and 
meaning of the parties hereunto, that no person 
or persons who shall be declared by the members 
of the Monthly or Quarterly Meeting, whereunto 
he or she shall belong, to be out of unity with 



BY BERRY AND MORELAND. 39 

them, shall have any right or interest in said piece 
of ground hereby granted, while he or she shall 
remain out of unity and church fellowship with 
those people to whom he or they did so belong.^' 
It seems quite singular that this instrument should 
confine the use of said piece of land to a "burying- 
place," as a meeting-house w^as badly needed at 
that time; and shortly afterward, with the full 
consent of the donor, a meeting-house was erected 
thereon. It was built of logs, ridged and notched 
at the corners, chinked with mud, and according 
to the custom of the times, covered, with bark. 
It stood in the northern corner of the present site 
Xof the old graveyard, and was the origin of the 
present Friends' Meeting. Here, in this humble 
structure, scarcely sufficient to shield its inmates 
from the weather, did our forefathers meet to man- 
ifest their devotion and gratitude to a bountiful 
Providence for the many favors which they were 
daily receiving. It was a rude structure, but served 
as the only place for worship during the next 
twenty years. 

The most noted members of the Meeting at this 
time were John Duncan, John Brock, William 
Beale, Thomas Scott, and Abel Hingstone, in By- 
berry or adjoining part of Bensalem. About the 
same time, we find the name of Thomas Groome, 
as having settled near Somerton ; and the names 
of John Cross, John Tibby, John Hybert, Nicholas 
Williams, ISTicholas Tucker, Nathan Watamore,and 
William Carver, as residents of the township. 

[1695.] The Meeting seems to have been on a 



40 THEHISTORYOF 

firmer basis than at any previous time, and the 
members were much concerned, not only for the 
welfare of each other, but that the youth might be 
preserved in the Truth. The Yearly Meeting, held 
at Burlington, N. J., in 1694, recommended that 
four Friends be ajDpointed to have charge of the 
youth belonging to the Society, and in 2d mo. of 
this year, John Carver, of Byberry, was appointed 
one of the four for that purpose. It appears that 
some Friends in those days did not observe the 
golden rule, and the Meeting, feeling the necessity 
of having a closer observance of the principles and 
customs of the Society, appointed in the 12th mo., 
John Carver and John Brock, " to admonish those 
that profess God's truth and do not walk answer- 
ably thereto." This was the origin of the appoint- 
ment of overseers* in Byberry Meeting, a custom 
continued to the present time. The great concern 
of Friends seems to have been " to watch over each 
other for good, and to build each other up in that 
most holy faith which works by love to the purify- 
ing of the heart." 

In the early part of this year some of the Gil- 
berts settled in Byberry. In the 4th mo., 1685, 
Thomas Holmes, the surveyor-general, obtained a 
patent for six hundred acres of land in Byberry, 

* Those appointed to act in this capacity from this time to 1740, 
Tvere John Brock, Abel Hingstone, William Beale, Thomas Groome, 
John Carver, Everard Bolton, John Duncan, Henry Comly, John 
Carver, 2d, Thomas Knight, son of Giles, Edmond Dunkin, Thomas 
Walton, William Dunkin, George James, Jonathan Knight, Joseph 
Gilbert, and Evan Thomas. 



BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 41 

bounded on the east by the Poquessing, and in 
the same year sold it to Nicholas Eideout. On 
the 19th of 12th mo., 1695, John Gilbert purchased 
the said tract of land of Eideout, and having 
sold about one-half of it to John Carver, divided 
the remainder between his two sons, Samuel 
and Joseph, who settled on it. These were the 
first of that name we have met with residing in 
Byberry. 

Affairs in Moreland began to assume a different 
aspect about this time. Nicholas Moore, who had 
been in delicate health almost from his arrival in 
America, died at his mansion, in Moreland, in 1689. 
During his life he retained possession of all his 
property, but it was much incumbered at the time 
of his decease. His creditors, among whom was 
John Holmes, on 23d of April, 1695, presented a 
petition to Council to have the accounts of the said 
Nicholas Moore examined, when it was found that 
the estate was indebted to different individuals to 
the sum of upwards of £270 sterling. The Coun- 
cil, therefore, empowered John Holmes to sell the 
plantation and manor house at Green Spring, and 
such lands and improvements in other parts of 
Moreland as might be sufficient to pay all his just 
debts, educate his surviving children, and provide 
for the improvement of the remainder of the estate. 
Soon after this, in the same year, the mansion 
house, together with six hundred acres of land, was 
accordingly sold at public sale. It was purchased 
by Henry Comly, of Middletown, Bucks County, 
who, in 1704, erected a mansion thereon, which is 

4* 



42 THEHISTORYOF 

yet standing, and is the oldest house* in Moreland. 
In the year 1701 or '2, portions of this estate were 
sold in lots to suit purchasers, and the population 
soon began to increase. No account of these sales 
has been met with. 

[1701.] It was agreed in the Monthly Meeting, 
"that a Prej^arative Meeting be established at 
Byberry, to be held on the weekly meeting day 
that happeneth next before the Monthly Meeting, 
and that those Friends that are appointed as over- 
seers to attend that service." This was the origin 
of the Preparative Meeting at Byberry, and it 
commenced soon afterwards, although no records 
of its proceedings have been found j)i'evious to 
1721. 

In the fore part of the eighteenth century, the 
children of the early settlers were entering upon 
the stage of active life. They were noted for their 
strength, activity, and vigor; and had been brought 
up accustomed to many hardships, and inured to a 
life of toil. They were expert at hunting wild 
turkeys, bears, and raccoons, and many of them 
had acquired considerable reputation in that busi- 
ness. They could use the axe, the grubbing-hoe, 
the sj^ade, and the sickle, and prided themselves 
in so doing. Then all the grain was reaped with 

* This house has, at different times since, had additions and 
alterations made to it, which have entirely changed its appearance. 
It has remained in the possession, and been the residence of de- 
scendants of the family of that name ever since, until the death of 
the late occupant, Franklin Comly, Esq., in 1860, when it passed 
into the hands of his son-in-law, Moses Knight. 



BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 43 

sickles, and there was frequently some strife among 
them as to who was the best reaper. In all trials 
of this kind Joseph G-ilbert is said to have carried 
off the palm, and was acknowledged the best reaper 
in the whole country. Upon one occasion a man 
came from JSTew Jersey to tr}" him, but j^ielded the 
contest long before night. The women, also, fre- 
quently engaged in outdoor work, and some of 
them were excellent hands. In those days the 
grain was generally stacked and all the threshing 
was done with flails. But few barns were then to 
be found, and these few were made of logs, and 
thatched with straw. They were generally small, 
without any floors, and sufficed only for a shelter 
for some of the stock. Wagons had not yet been 
introduced, and sleds were used for hauling grain 
to the stacks and barns. When it was threshed 
and ready for market, if the ground was not cov- 
ered with snow, it was carried on the backs of 
horses to the mills on the Pennypack or Poques- 
sing Creeks. This was the custom until the intro- 
duction of carts, several years afterwards. The 
harness was all of home manufacture, the collars 
being made of straw or calamus tops, and the 
traces and lines of hemp or flax. 

Some thirty-five or forty years had already passed 
away, and the land so destitute of timber, at first, 
was now covered with a growth of thrifty chest- 
nut, oak, hickory, maple, ash, &c. As timber be- 
came more plenty, the settlers began to divide 
their farms by means of fences instead of ditches. 
Many of the young men became expert at chop- 



44 TIIEHISTORYOF 

ping wood and splitting rails ; and it is said, on 
one occasion, that Job Walton split three thousand 
six hundred rails in one week, the logs being cut 
off for him. This was a large week's work, and 
few of our rail-splitters of this day can beat it. 
Fencing, however, was not universal at that time, 
and some preferred to dig ditches and plant privet 
(Ligustrum vulgare) hedges, in order to inclose 
their farms. These hedges answered the purpose 
very well, and presented an effectual barrier 
against the encroachments of cattle and wild 
beasts. They gave the farms a pleasing appear- 
ance, particularly when in blossom; and when the 
berries were ripe they afforded food for multitudes 
of wild pigeons, thousands of which were killed 
by the settlers. It is said these hedges from some 
unknown cause, nearly all died a few years pre- 
vious to the Eevolution, and have never been in 
general use since. 

We have met with no accounts of any schools 
previous to 1710. The children of the first set- 
tlers were brought up with a very limited chance 
of obtaining an education, and many of them were 
unable to read or even to write their own names. 
In this year it appears that Richard Brockdon 
n7l0 1 commenced a school at Bj^berry, but did 
not continue there more than a year, as 
the Meeting records, in 1711, mention the appli- 
cation of Richard Brockdon, late schoolmaster at 
Byberry, for a certificate to return to England. 
He was succeeded by William Davis, who re- 
mained until 1717, and then removed to New Jer- 



BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 45 

sey. After this we find mention of John Wat- 
more, Roger Bragg, John Pear, and Walter Moore, 
as teachers in Byberry previous to 1753. The 
school was poorly conducted, and a want of inter- 
est in the great cause of education, in those hav- 
ing charge of the schools, seems to have been 
the great fault. 

[1712.] Some time during this year, Giles Knight 
erected a bolting mill on the small stream of water 
passing through his meadow, lately owned by 
Nancy Walton. No flour was made at this mill, 
but the people took their grain to Pennepack or 
Poquessing mills, and, when it was ground, hauled 
it to Giles Knight's to have it bolted. 

About this time we find among the ea-rly set- 
tlers of Moreland the name of William Roberts, 
Albertson Walton, William Tillyer, Henry Comly, 
Nicholas Moore, Jr.. John Blackford, Joseph Mit- 
chell, Jonathan Comly, Richard Marple, and Der- 
rick Krewson. 

[1714.] The old log meeting-house in Byberry, 
being no longer tenable, in this year a new house 
was erected on the acre given by English. It was 
a few feet to the east of the old one, was built of 
stone, thirty-five by fifty feet, two stories high, 
with arched ceilings, and double doors in front. It 
had large windows, with small lights of glass set 
in a leaden sash attached to a wooden frame, which 
was hung on hinges so as to open and close, and 
was without shutters. The gable ends of this 
house were not carried to a point, but from about 
midwa}^ of the rafters, another roof from each 



46 THE HISTORY OF 

end was carried up to meet the main one. This 
was the style of building at that early day. The 
plan for warming this building was not by any 
means as complete as that now in use, for it is 
stated that the only means devised for warming it 
w^as b}^ a fireplace in the west end, on the outside 
of the building and communicating with an artifi- 
cial stove, formed of cast iron plates, through 
which the heat w^as communicated to the room. 
The men warmed themselves before going in, and 
the women occupied the end next to the fire. In 
order to complete this house. Friends borrowed 
£50 of James Cooper, which was paid off by sub- 
scription, in 1723. 

[1720.] About this time such things as fortune- 
telling, astrology, &c., were in considerable repute, 
and many of the settlers, even the most respecta- 
ble, frequently resorted to them. Most Friends 
seem to have been in advance of the age in which 
they lived, for they not only bore testimony against 
these things as great evils, but dealt with some of 
their members for "meddling in predicting by as- 
trology," &c. During this age of superstition many 
Friends were awakened to a just sense of the value 
and importance of properly educating their youth, 
and the Meeting was soon impressed with the ne- 
cessity of erecting a suitable building for school 
purposes. Accordingly, in this 3^ear, we find a 
school-house w^as erected near the meeting-house. 
It was a log building about eighteen feet square. 
Here in this humble structure many of our early 
ancestors were educated ; and it is probable that 



BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 47 

the opportunities for acquiring an education were 
much better after the erection of the building than 
they had been before, as those who were educated 
about this time were generally spoken of as pos- 
sessing considerable literary qualifications, and 
their autographs, as found in some of the old pa- 
pers, certainly would not suifer any disparagement 
if compared with many of the present day. 'No 
further account of this school-house has been found. 
Some time previous to this a few houses had been 
built near each other in the eastern part of More- 
land; and as the place began to assume more the 
appearance of a village, it was called Smithfield, 
the name of which has since been discarded for 
that of Somerton. About this time it contained ten 
buildings, among which were a store, a tavern, and 
a blacksmith shop, about half of which was situated 
in Byberry. This is the first account we have 
found of this village, and the time of its founda- 
tion cannot now with any certainty be known. 

The houses, and indeed all the buildings erected 
by the settlers previous to this time, were with but 
few exceptions formed of logs. They were rudely 
constructed tenements, being scarcely sufficient to 
shield their inmates from the rigors of the climate; 
but in them our forefathers dwelt in peace and 
contentment, and seemed to enjoy life quite as 
much as most of us in this more progressive 
age. The houses were but one story high, with 
hipped roofs ; and the room used for cooking con- 
tained a large fireplace, in which a fine blazing 
fire was kept during the cold weather of winter. 



48 THEHISTORYOF 

In these large quantities of wood were consumed, 
often as much as ten to fifteen cords in one season, 
but as timber was plenty, and required only the 
trouble of cutting, but little economy was exhib- 
ited in its use. These fireplaces were large enough 
to allow a person to sit on each side of the blazing 
fire, and those favored spots were generally occu- 
pied by the heads of the family, while the children 
hovered around in front in order to keep warm. 

Farming was carried on in a rude and slovenly 
manner; the implements were but poorly suited to 
their designed uses, and much of the fertility of 
the soil had been exhausted by continued farming, 
no pains being taken to make or apply manure 
so as to produce better crops. The dress of both 
male and female was of homespun, which was man- 
ufactured by the "busy housewife" of that day. 
During the summer it was customary for all classes 
to go barefoot, except on First days, when going 
to meeting; the shoes, however, were taken off as 
soon as they arrived at home, and put away for a 
similar occasion. In going to market the men sel- 
dom wore shoes, and even the women did not think 
it necessary to hide their feet and ankles, and were 
not troubled with such scandal as would be show- 
ered upon them for so doing at the present day. 

Game had annually been growing more scarce ; 
and most of the wild animals, such as deer, wild 
turkeys, panthers, and wolves, had become scarce. 
Previous to this time (1720) the latter animals had 
been troublesome to the settlers by destroying their 
sheep and hogs, so that they had to be carefully 



BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 49 

secured in strong pens every night, or in the morn- 
ing some would surely be missing. 

Smaller animals, such as wild-cats, foxes, rac- 
coons, &c., were still plenty, and the flocks of 
poultry often suffered from their depredations. 
Squirrels, partridges, pheasants, &c., were very 
abundant, notwithstanding the severity of the win- 
ters, and thousands of them were annually killed 
to furnish food for the settlers. Deer and bears 
were sometimes killed and furnished food for the 
family of the fortunate hunter, but at this time 
such things were not common. 

[1721.] The earliest records of the Byberry Pre- 
parative Meeting, which have escaped the destruc- 
tive hand of time, bear the date of 2d month 18th. 
These are made up almost entirely of the pecuniary 
matters of the Society, being accounts of subscrip- 
tions for raising money for the necessary expenses 
of the Meeting, and for maintaining the poor. The 
charge for tending the meeting-house was only 
twenty shillings per annum, and this continued to 
be the price paid for several years thereafter. John 
Carver is mentioned as the clerk at that time. He 
appears to have given good satisfaction, as he was 
continued until 1740, when he requested the Meet- 
ing to appoint some one in his place. About this 
time African slavery was first introduced into By- 
berry by the more opulent settlers, as help for the 
rougher parts of the work indoors and out. They 
were mostly brought directly from Africa to Phil- 
adelphia, but some were brought from Long Island. 
In 1727, in an inventory of the property of a de- 

5 



50 THEHISTORYOF 

ceased Friend, the following items occur: "One 
negro girl, £20; one negro boy, £30;" and again, 
in 1743, are these: " A negro woman, Phillis, £20; 
and one negro boy, Wallis, £14." These give us 
an idea of the value of slaves at that time. 

The following list of names are found in the rec- 
ords of 1721, as subscribers for maintaining the 
poor belonging to Byberry Preparative Meeting : 

John Donkon, Thos. Walton, 

Joseph Gilbert, Giles Knight, 

Wm. Carver, Edm'd Donkon, 

George James, Abel Hingstone, 

Thomas Knight, Thomas Walton, 

John Carver, Sam. Scott, 

Thos. Knight, Jr., Jonathan Knight, 

John Worthington, Henry Comly. 

[1725.] From the above records we learn that 
Friends were very willing to assist each other, and 
we find that "■ superscriptions '' were frequently 
taken up in the Meeting for benevolent purposes. 
In this year, one for " defraying ye expenses of a 
family taken captive by ye Indians in New Eng- 
land;" also, one for " defraying ye charges to ye 
healing of a young man that broke his leg at 
Hasom." In 1736, there was another " to assist 
Daniel Pennington to make up part of his loss — 
he being burnt out." 

[1727.] The crops of our forefathers appear to 
have suffered from the ravages of destructive in- 
sects ; their corn was frequently injured by the 
cut-worm, ^nd their trees by the caterpillar. In 



BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 51 

this year the latter became so numerous that they 
devoured nearly all the foliage of the trees, and 
wherever they passed left the woods as bare as in 
December. They did not confine themselves to 
the forest trees, but attacked and destroyed every- 
thing green that came in their path. It is prob- 
able that these caterpillars extended their depre- 
dations over a large extent of country, as we find 
an account of their having done much damage 
along the Schuylkill during the same season. 

[1733.] In this year Byberry Meeting procured 
a "Book of Discipline " at the expense of fifteen 
shillings. About the same time a number of other 
works were added, and formed a kind of circulating 
library for the use of Friends. This appears to 
have been the first library ever established within 
the limits of either township, and was highly 
valued at that time. 

Thomas Chalkley mentions an earthquake as 
having occurred in Byberry in 1737. It was not 
very severe, yet the shock was sensibly felt. 

[1740.] This winter was remarkable for a great 
snow storm, which covered the fences. The crust 
on it was so hard that horses and sleds could travel 
over it in any direction, without following the 
course of the roads. Those who felled trees at that 
time were much surprised when the snow melted 
to find the stumps from six to eight feet high. A 
storm somewhat similar to this occurred in the 
winter of 1835-6. John Carver resigned his situ- 
ation as clerk of the Meeting this j^'ear, and was 
succeeded by William Dunkin, who continued to 



52 TIIEHISTORYOF 

act in that capacity until 1751, when William 
"Walrasley was appointed in his place. 

[1743.] A school-house is mentioned as having 
stood in Moreland at this time; but no account of 
teachers, or scholars, when it was built, or where 
located, has been found. About this time Samuel 
Jackson is mentioned as having sometimes preached 
in Byberry Meeting; and his name appears on the 
records for about two years, after which we hear 
no more of him. Thomas Walton, Jr., is said 
sometimes to have preached, but was never re- 
commended. He was afterwards disowned, in 
1764, for non-fulfilment of some contracts. One 
Will Knight, a half-brother to Giles^ sometimes 
preached, but it was not well received. On one 
occasion some person pulled him down, when he 
remarked : " Thou needst not do so ; for if it be of 
Christ thou canst not stop it, and if it be not of 
Christ it will die of itself" A more appropriate 
answer could scarcely have been found. Friends, 
however, showed their disunity with the matter, 
and he soon desisted. 

[1746.] We find no account of any taverns in 
either township previous to this year. One is men- 
tioned as having been then kept in the village of 
Smithfieldj but no further account of it has been 
preserved. About this time an application for a 
tavern at Byberry Crossroads was made by Eich- 
ard Carver, on which occasion several of the in- 
habitants signed a remonstrance against granting 
this application, in which it was stated that it 
would be an injury to the neighborhood ; that there 



BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 53 

was no need of a tavern in the place, as three 
were already within three miles, and that it would 
only be a resort for idle persons, servants, and ne- 
groes. This was signed by John Jackson, Evan 
Thomas, Jonathan Knight, Crispin Collett, Daniel 
Knight, Benjamin Walton, Thomas Knight, Joseph 
Gilbert, Silas Titus, William Marshall, John Eush, 
and was probably effectual, as we find no account 
of the tavern afterwards until 1755. 

[1748.] On the 25th of 6th mo., 1742, the Prepar- 
ative Meeting '^ agreed to wall ye graveyard with 
stone, and Joseph Gilbert, Evan Thomas, Jonathan 
Knight, and Daniel Knight, were appointed to 
provide materials, employ workmen, and see ye 
work done." From some further accounts it would 
seem as if this wall was not built until 1748, and 
that the northwest end was left open so as to ex- 
tend the yard in that direction. Friends at this 
time offered the privilege of burying to all who in 
any way assisted in the matter, and to their chil- 
dren ; and several took advantage of this proposition. 

[1749.] The first account of the appearance of 
the seventeen-year locusts, in Byberry, was in this 
year. They came in great numbers, and have 
appeared regularly every seventeen years since, 
generally first showing themselves about the 20th 
of June. From the accounts kept of them it would 
seem that they vary but little in the numbers 
which appear. They do much mischief by injuring 
the trees when about to deposit their eggs, and 
some instances of children having been poisoned 
by their sting have been met with. 

p.* 



54 THEHISTORYOF 

[1753.] A collection was taken up to pay for 
covering the meeting-house, which was done the 
same year. Another collection was also taken up 
for making an addition to Byberry Meeting, by 
which we find that fifty-two persons contributed 
to that object. The addition made was thirty by 
thirty-five feet, and one story high. Two large fire- 
places were built in it; one in each corner of the 
east end. By means of these, the room was more 
comfortably warmed, and in winter Avas generally 
occupied for meeting purposes. Some time after 
this other improvements were made by introducing 
stoves, substituting wooden for the leaden sash, 
and putting shutters to the windows, so that the 
house was improved both in comfort and general 
appearance, and in this condition continued to be 
the place of worship for Friends until 1808, when 
the present building was erected. 

Although the first settlers of Byberry were prin- 
cipally Friends, yet others of different j^ersuasions 
came into the townships, so that by this time many 
of the inhabitants were of that class. Friends al- 
ways made provision for their j)Oor, but other soci- 
eties were not so particular to do so ; and as these 
increased with the increase of population, the 
township felt the necessity of providing for the 
maintenance of such as were unable to take care 
of themselves. From this time to 1800, about 
twenty persons were supported by the public, two 
of them being for the space of twenty-five years. 
The annual average amount of poor tax from 
this time to 1780, collected in Byberry, was 



BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 55 

$99.67 — all of which was spent in maintaining the 
poor. 

[1755.] In this year a remonstrance was numer- 
ousl}^ signed against granting Jacob Buskirk the 
right to open a public house at the Byberry Cross- 
roads, which was probably without effect, as we 
find mention of a tavern called the " Three Tuns," 
kept at this place, in 1760. About this time there 
were two brickyards in successful operation in By- 
berry. One of them was on the farm now belong- 
ing to John Tomlinson, and the other on land be- 
longing to George De Haven. These bricks were 
used instead of logs in erecting houses, and are 
said to have answered the purpose very well. For 
some years previous to this, a gun manufactory 
had been in successful operation on Byberry Creek, 
on lands now owned by Eeuben Parry. The busi- 
ness was carried on by the Bushes, but seems to 
have gone down soon after this time. 

During the French and Indian war, which lasted 
from 1755 to 1763, the people of Byberry and 
Moreland had a share of the troubles. As the gov- 
ernment was in want of soldiers, several persons 
from Byberry entered the service, among which 
were some belonging to Friends. These latter 
were dealt with by the Society, and disowned for 
so doing. The people were kept in great appre- 
hension for fear the Indians would come down 
from the mountains and destroy them, and some 
idle persons raised a report that they had come 
and destroyed the village of Smithfield. This news 
caused great consternation, and many of the in- 



56 THEHISTORYOF 

habitants fled in baste to Dunks' Ferry, where they 
crossed into New Jersey. The report afterwards 
proving false, the fugitives returned not a little 
discomfited that they should have been so easily 
frightened. 

[1758.] About this time Thomas Livezey made 
a survey and draft of Smithfield. He represented 
the town lot as containing about eighty acres, with 
the main street running diagonally across it. 
Amonc: the owners of the lot at that time we find 
the names of Comly, Knight, and Walmsley. 

As we have already observed, the great evil of 
human slavery was introduced into the townships in 
1720 \ but it never became very popular. It proba- 
bly was at its greatest height about this time, when 
the Yearly Meeting issued its testimony against 
keeping slaves. After this Friends were careful 
not to go deeper into the evil; but they did not 
manumit those already held until the Meeting be- 
came more positive in its directions, when most of 
those belonging to the Society set their slaves free; 
yet two or three who continued to hold their fellow- 
men in bondage were disowned therefor. When 
the slaves were liberated, care was taken by their 
late masters to provide for them, and to assist 
them in procuring a livelihood, also to encourage 
and aid them in educating their children. After 
Friends liberated their slaves, others became con- 
vinced of the evil, and many were induced to follow 
the glorious example of their neighbors, so that in 
a few years but few slaves were to be found in the 
townships. 



BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 57 

[1759.] Benjamin Gilbert erected a grist mill on 
Byberry Creek near the centre of Byberry, which 
proved a great accommodation to the inhabitants. 
The old mill spoken of in Walter Forrest's Will 
had long ceased to exist; and for some 3^ears the 
only mills in Byberry were two bolting mills, — one 
near Eeuben Parry's, owned by the Eiish family, 
and that of Giles Knight. Some time after this 
Jonathan Knight, gentleman, built a grist mill on 
the Poqnessing, several yards northeast of the one 
now in the possession of Jonathan Knight. 

In this year we find that Friends concluded to 
hold afternoon meetings, with the hope of inducing 
the youth of the neighborhood to attend, instead of 
spending their time in a much less desirable way. 
They were held on the 2d and 4th First days of 
each month during the summer season, and were 
so well attended that they were continued nearly 
forty years. 

[1760.] In this year we find a notice of a hotel, 
kept at Byberry Crossroads, with a sign of the 
" Three Tuns." It was kept at one time by Nancy 
Heaton, and at another by John Hilt. It had been 
customary to hold the township elections at the 
Byberry school-house ; but some were desirous of 
having them held at the " Three Tuns," in hopes 
of continuing the hotel at that place. The officers 
of the election advertised it accordingly ; but as 
none went except the officers, the plan entirely 
failed, and was not tried a second time. 

This hotel was considered a nuisance by the 
neighbors, and but few of the respectable part of 



58 THEHISTORYOF 

the community had anything to do with it. For 
want of patronage, it was afterwards closed. 

Nearly all the original surveys of land in By- 
berry and Moreland were made by Thomas Holmes, 
surveyor-general. He laid out the first farms in 
regular parallelograms of fifty or one hundred 
perches wide. From the time of his death, with 
the exception of Moses Moon and Nicholas Schull, 
who did some surveying in the townships, we have 
no account of any surveyors until Silas and John 
Watts, of Lower Dublin, commenced the business, 
in 1760. They did nearly the whole business, until 
1794, when Silas died, and John, finding himself 
growing old, persuaded John Comly to take up the 
matter, promising him assistance when needed. 
He was successful; and continued to be the sur- 
veyor for over fifty years, until the infirmities of 
old age prevented his continuance at the busi- 
ness. 

[1768.] An earthquake was quite sensibly felt ; 
and on the 29th of November, 1783, another much 
more severe occurred, and this one was again fol- 
lowed by another in about five hours. 

[1767.] Milling seems to have been profitable 
business; for most of the mill sites were soon after 
this selected, and mills erected thereon. In this 
year a mill was built on the Poquessing by Thomas 
and John Townsend, who commenced business 
there, in partnership. This continued for twelve 
or fifteen years, when Thomas sold out his half to 
John, in whose family it remained until within a 
few years. During that time it passed through 



BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 59 

the hands of John, Ezra, and John P., successive- 
ly, and is now owned by Levis Levis. 

[1770.] The people of this section appear to have 
been very peaceable, as we find no account of any 
person's holding a commission as justice of peace 
until Alexander Edwards, in 1770. Previous to 
that time the little business in that line was done 
by Joshua Maddox or Isaac Ashton, in Lower Dub- 
lin. Difficulties and disputes among Friends were 
generally settled by the Meeting; and it was not 
until other denominations became more abundant 
that a justice of the peace was thought necessary. 

[1772] As has been already observed, but little 
opportunity was afforded to the children of the 
early settlers for obtaining an education, and many 
could neither read nor write; but it is believed 
that endeavors were used, as soon as circumstances 
permitted, to establish a place of instruction. At 
an early day, a log school-house was erected near 
the meeting-house, and in this a school was kept 
until 1772, when, being no longer fit for the pur- 
pose, it was pulled down. The school was then 
moved to the meeting-house, where it was con- 
tinued until after the Eevolution. Although the 
school appears to have been regularly kept since 
1750, the affairs were very loosely conducted. 
During this year the subject of schools was par- 
ticularly adverted to in the Preparative Meeting; 
and, after an interchange of views, James Thorn- 
ton, Thomas Townsend, John Townsend, and Jon- 
athan Knight, were appointed to have the school 
under their particular care. From this time for- 



60 THE HISTORY OF 

ward this important subject received its share of 
attention ; and, owing to the judicious manage- 
ment of those who were appointed on such com- 
mittees, an increased interest was soon manifest in 
the neighborhood, and the facilities for obtaining 
a good education were thereby much improved. 
The meeting instructed its committee to employ 
such teachers " as were not only in membership 
with us, but who were well qualified for the busi- 
ness^ and careful and attentive in the discharge of 
their duties ; and especially, that they be of sound 
moral and religious principles, that by precept and 
example they might inculcate useful sentiments in 
the minds of those under their tuition." In the 
year 1776 they employed Benjamin Kite to take 
charge of the school at the meeting-house. He 
was an excellent teacher, and is said to have 
brought about a great change for the better, in 
the manner of instructing the youth in Byberry. 
He was a man of good judgment, with but mode- 
rate abilities ; but had a peculiar faculty for im- 
parting his knowledge, and kept the best school 
that had then ever been in the township. 

[1774.] This year was remarkable for the snow 
storm which occurred on the 3d of May, and which 
did much injury to the crops of the farmers in 
Byberry and the adjoining districts. In the same 
notes* we find that in February, 1779, the weather 
was so warm that the bees swarmed and the peach 
trees blossomed. 

=* Notes kept by Henry Tomlinson, of Bensalem. 



BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 61 

[1776.] This year the "camp fever," as it was 
called, was very fatal in Byberry, and numbers of 
the people died of the disease. Among these were 
Eichard Walton and Daniel Walton — the latter of 
whom owned a saw mill, situated in the meadow 
lately owned by Nancy Walton. When this mill 
was built is not known ; but it was permitted to go 
into decay after Daniel's death. Some remains of 
the dam and race are still visible. 

[1779.] According to the tax duplicate for this 
year, the number of taxables in Byberry was 82, 
and the value of property £179,690. Men were 
then required to swear or affirm that they had 
given in the right amount, and in case of refusal 
they were taxed double. Of the 61 property hold- 
ers in 1779, 7 swore, 33 affirmed, and 21 were taxed 
double because they said nothing. JSTine men were 
taxed $15 each because they had no wives. 

[1780.] The census of the townships, taken this 
year, show only three persons held as slaves. They 
were rated from two hundred to three hundred 
dollars each ; but it appears that their value soon 
afterward decreased, for, in 1784, only four years 
subsequent, they were worth but half that sum. 

Previous to this time the colored people who 
died in the townships were generally buried in the 
orchards belonging to their masters or in the 
woods ; but forty or fifty had been interred in a 
kind of a cemetery for them, on lands lately owned 
by Charles Walmsley. It was located in the field 
fronting the mansion house, not far from Watson 
Comly's line. All ti^aces of it have long since been 



C2 THE HISTORY or 

destroyed, and hundreds have since passed over 
the spot not knowing that they were treading upon 
the graves of the long since dead. Another of 
these grave^^ards was on the farm lately owned 
by Mary Hillborn, where several slaves were 
buried. The exact spot is not now known. Many 
persons by this time had had their attention drawn 
to the matter, and efforts were made to secure a 
proper place for the burial of such people. Ac- 
cordingly, in this year, we find that Byberry 
Meeting purchased a lot of Thomas Townsend for 
a burying place for the blacks, and the practice of 
burying on private grounds was discontinued. The 
record says the first person buried there was 
" Jim,'' a negro belonging to Daniel "Walton. 

The land in Byberry and Moreland, as well as 
all other land in Pennsylvania, was subject to a 
quit-rent from its first settlement. This was not 
very heavy, being only a penny to the acre, or a 
shilling sterling to the one hundred acres. It con- 
tinued until the Eevolution, when the Assembly 
of Pennsylvania passed an Act abolishing all quit- 
rents; but as considerable oj^position was made 
by John Penn, then the principal proprietor, the 
Assembly agreed to -pay him £130,000 in lieu of 
said quit-rent, and the landholders were thus re- 
leased from further payment. 

Having spoken of many circumstances that 
transpired previous to 1780, it is now time to 
glance at some of the events which occurred 
within our limits during the time the Colonies 
were struggling to throw oflf the galling yoke of 



BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 63 

slavery to the Mother Country. We might speak 
here of the noble cause in which they were en- 
gaged, and portray to our readers some of the ex- 
citing times connected with that period, but it 
would be only repeating an oft-told tale, and we 
must content ourselves with a mere glance at the 
events as they were enacted in those days. There 
is no account of our fair fields having been deluged 
with blood, nor of any battle having occurred ex- 
cept the skirmish at Smithfield ; and of that it is 
said that about twenty-five Americans were, on a 
certain occasion, in the vicinity of Bustleton, when 
they were pursued by a company of seventy-five 
British soldiers. As the pursuit did not continue 
farther than Bustleton, the Americans thought the 
danger had passed, and accordingly halted at San- 
born's hotel, in Smithfield, to spend the night. 
This company was under the command of Jacob 
Humphreys, and on that very night allowed them- 
selves to be surprised by one hundred British in- 
fantry and twenty cavalry; and, in the engage- 
ment which followed, one-half of them were either 
slain or captured. The Americans scattered, and 
were pursued by the enemy. One person, named 
Glentworth, while trying to escape, fell over the 
fence just as a soldier discharged his musket at 
him, and, as he was supposed to be killed, the 
enemy retired, and he escaped unharmed. On 
that occasion several bullets were shot throuo-h 

o 

the front door of a house in the village, which be- 
longed to a person named Yansant. He escaped 
only by hiding himself under a hogshead. In the 



64 THEHISTORYOF 

morning several of the British went to Esqnire 
Comly's house, where they demanded breakfast, 
which was at length furnished, much against his 
will. They had with them a man named Krew- 
son, whom they had taken prisoner the preceding 
night. The same night the British visited the 
house now belonging to Jacob Saurman, and a 
person named Boucher, who had not time to es- 
cape from the house, crept into the chimney, and 
his wife jDUshed the bed against it so as entirely to 
conceal the fireplace. They searched the house in 
vain for their prisoner, but were finally compelled 
to leave without him. They took the best of the 
horses with them, but did not otherwise molest 
the family. On one occasion, says a contempo- 
rary, a number of men, among whom was Peter 
Yarnall, went to Byberry Meeting, while Friends 
were assembling there, and took several horses 
therefrom. They were afterwards returned to 
their proper owners. During the whole of this 
trying period, the inhabitants of both townships 
were harassed by unprincipled collectors and law- 
less bands of plunderers. Many of the people were 
Friends, and were restrained by religious princi- 
ples from joining in the contest. They suffered 
the loss of much property, sometimes for the use of 
the army, sometimes for military demands, and at 
others without any pretext whatever. Horses, 
sheep, hogs, wheat, corn. &c., were carried off. 
Men were frequently seized and put in the army. 
One Friend, who kept an account of the property 
taken from him, stated that it amounted by fair 



BYBERRY AND MOREL AND. 65 

valuation to £150 sterling; another had his horses 
taken from the plow by the soldiers, and many 
of the household goods of a third were seized by 
the collector. On the 6th of March, 1778, a com- 
pany of Lacy's men, numbering about six hundred, 
set fire to several barns and wheat-stacks near the 
Bristol turnpike, under pretence of fulfilling orders 
issued by General Washington, to prevent the 
grain from falling into the hands of the British, 
then in possession of Philadelphia. They burned 
some wheat-stacks belonging to James Thornton, 
near Byberry Meeting House, and some owned by 
his tenant, Eobert Thomas, not far from Knight's 
mill, and supposed to contain three hundred bush- 
els. A barn belonging to Andrew Singley, at White 
Sheet Bay, on the Delaware, and one owned by 
Thompson, at Prospect Hill, were also destroyed. 
One account says, that James Thornton met them 
near Joseph Knight's corner, and threatened to 
inform Washington of their proceedings if they 
did not desist; others say that a superior officer 
met them, and ordered them to destroy no more 
barns, after which they proceeded to the Billet. 
Shortly after this General Lacy caused many of 
the cattle and sheep to be driven into Bucks County 
under a similar plea. Some w^ere taken as far as 
Doylestown, and others left near the Buck Hotel, 
in Southampton ; but the owners going after them, 
nearly all were recovered. There was but little 
security for either persons or property, for wheat 
was taken from the granary, corn from the crib, 
fatted hogs from the pen, and even pork from the 

6* 



66 THEHISTORYOF 

tub. One man left liis corn in the shock until 
spring, thinking thus to save it; but it was taken 
as soon as husked. The same person, in order to 
save his wheat, had it ground, and the flour packed 
in barrels and hid under some buckwheat straw, 
where it remained all winter. In the spring he 
found a ready market among the poor people, who 
came up the river in boats, and walked across the 
country to his place. They first exhausted the 
supply at Howell's, now Comly's mill ; and were 
then sent to this farmer, who always kept a barrel 
open ready to supply their wants. The flour was 
soon sold, and silver received in payment. The 
men, it is said, carried a half, and the women a 
quarter of a hundred, to the river, a distance of 
three miles. There was considerable difficulty in 
getting produce to market, as Washington had 
prohibited any intercourse with the British while 
they were in Philadelphia; yet, as provisions were 
high, and gold or silver paid for all that was pur- 
chased, man}^ ran the risk of being captured, and 
when a successful trip was made, they seemed to 
be well repaid for the danger. They generally 
went along by-paths and across fields, and trav- 
elled only by night. A company of these men, 
when returning home, were bold enough to ven- 
ture up the Bristol road, and when near Holmes- 
burg were fired on by a body of soldiers, and one 
of their number. Tommy Price, was killed. 

An old account says that Washington, while on 
the march to attack Cornwallis, at Yorktown, in 
1781, encamped one night with the main part of 



BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 67 

his army on both sides of the Poquessing Creek, in 
the southern part of By berry, and near the Eed 
Lion Hotel. 

IN'otwithstanding the great difficulty of getting 
their produce to market, and the losses sustained 
in various other ways, there were but few cases of 
failure among the inhabitants of either township. 
They made their expenses correspond with their 
income, and were generally prosperous; while some 
of the military collectors, who had taken undue 
advantages, afterward became very poor, and in one 
case reduced to actual want. 

Many of the inhabitants were in favor of the old 
form of government, but they generally took no 
part in the contest, and but few were compelled to 
leave the townships on that account. It is said 
that William Walmsley harbored Joseph Galloway 
after he was compelled to leave his residence at 
Trevose, now Belmont, on account of his favoring 
the British, but Walmsley was not interfered with. 
Jonathan Walton, of Moreland, took an active part 
against the Americans, and was forced to go to 
Canada, but afterwards returned and was not 
molested. His property was not confiscated, and 
he sold it some years after peace was declared to 
Judge Sommers. Some of thetories in the adjoin- 
ing townships were so active in their operations 
against the colonists, that they were forced to flee 
to Nova Scotia, England, and other places. After 
the war was closed, the new government passed 
an act requiring the oath of allegiance to it to be 
taken by all citizens, and denying to all who refused 



68 THE HISTORY OF 

to do SO the rights of citizenship. Some took the 
test without hesitation, but others felt some scru- 
ples about the matter. As the provisions of the 
new government became better known, the seem- 
ing objections were removed, and the inhabitants 
generally came into the measure, although some 
called it " swallowing the pill." 

There was one act done by the people of By- 
berry which illustrates their true character, and 
deserves a place in this history. Benjamin Kite, 
who kept school at Byberry during the Eevolu- 
tion, gives the following account of this circum- 
stance: "A singular civil arrangement took place 
in Byberry, with which no one who now lives is 
better acquainted than m^^self, which I think 
ought to be known. Soon after the Eevolutionary 
War began, and with which the inhabitants being 
all Friends could take no part, some of the better 
class, convinced that the few poor of the township 
should be provided for, and the roads kept in order 
without applying to any of the constituted author- 
ities, either of the old or new regime, for years 
held elections, chose overseers and supervisors, who 
regularl}^ laid out and collected taxes, took care of 
the poor, and repaired the roads ; and it is worthy 
of note that the taxes were never more regularly 
paid, though the collectors had no power to en- 
force their payment, nor were the poor ever more 
comfortably taken care of, nor the roads kept in 
better repair. The elections and the settlement of 
the officers' accounts took place in my school-room, 
and I, on those occasions, acted ex-officio as clerk." 



BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 69 

During the war, as is well known, Congress 
issued " Bills of Credit '' to a large amount. This 
was called Continental money, and soon began to 
depreciate, so that in a short time it was worth 
little or nothing. One man in Byberry, it is said, 
paid two hundred and fifty dollars of it for a tea- 
kettle, and another paid one hundred dollars for a 
mug of beer. Some, who were opposed to any 
change in the government, refused the Continental 
money, and hoarded up the old Province money, 
which they thought would be of full value after 
the war; but they were doomed to disappoint- 
ment, it being entirely valueless. 

Before closing this part of our history, we pro- 
pose to notice some of the customs of the people 
at or about the commencement of the contest. 
The section of which we are writing the history 
had long since ceased to be a wilderness, and fine 
farms and fertile fields occupied the place of what 
was once lonely plains. The industrious white 
settlers had continued to increase, not only in 
numbers but in enterprise, until they had re- 
claimed the whole of the land; while the "red 
men of the forest," thus crowded out, had left the 
homes of their forefathers and moved onward 
toward the setting sun. These last had indeed 
sold out all their possessions to William Penn ; 
but the lands thus given up had been the home of 
their childhood, and most of the important deeds 
of their youth had been enacted there. These 
lovely spots — their native grounds — around which 
so much that was pleasant clustered, were annually 



70 THEHISTORYOF 

visited by them ; and when the storms and chill- 
ing winds of winter had passed away, and the 
spring, with her life-giving breath, had clothed the 
earth with buds and blossoms, these rude sons of 
the West were sure to come, bringing with them 
the earthl}^ wealth they possessed, to remain dur- 
ing the summer on the ver}^ spot where their early 
days had been spent. But as year succeeded year, 
and these little bands continued to arrive, it was 
plainly visible to all that the ruthless hand of time 
w^as gradually removing them to another world, 
and in a few years more none remained to keep up 
this custom. During such visits they occupied the 
orchard belonging to Thomas Walmsley, and lately 
owned by Charles Walmsley, subsisted upon what 
game they could obtain from the woods and waters, 
and the charities of their white friends around 
them. 

They roamed about the woods shooting small 
game with their bows and arrows, or along the 
streams in quest of the inhabitants of the waters. 
Frogs, fish, and turtles were much sought after by 
them, and even the land tortoises did not escape, 
for they furnished many a feast to the Indian and 
his family. They looked upon the land as still be- 
longing to them, and always felt a freedom to help 
themselves to everything they met with in their 
rambles. We have no accounts of tbeir having 
disturbed any of the people, for they considered 
the whites as their brothers, and ever held them 
in the greatest respect. It is said that the last 
Indians who lived in the townships, were the two 



BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 71 

squaws, who were buried in the old graveyard at 
Byberry Meeting, near the large cedar tree in the 
centre of the place. 

With the disappearance of this race, and the 
conversion of their hunting-grounds into agricul- 
tural districts, the wild animals gradually disap- 
peared. Wild turkeys, at first so numerous, were 
rarely seen after the Eevolution. Bears, wolves, 
and wild-cats, also had sought safer places of 
retreat, or been destroyed by the inhabitants. 
Unceasing war had been waged against these ani- 
mals, and particularly the wolves, as they had been 
so troublesome in destroying the sheep and hogs 
belonging to the inhabitants. Smaller game, how- 
ever, seems to have been plenty; and we find ac- 
counts of myriads of pigeons frequenting this sec- 
tion. In 1764, they became so plenty that two 
young men, having no other employment, knit a net 
and commenced operations early in the autumn of 
that year. They were successful, and by the first 
of the following April had caught over twelve 
thousand, which were disposed of in Philadelphia 
at about eight cents per dozen. 

If we were but to glance back at the condition 
of the country only a few years previous, great 
indeed would be the changes to be observed ; and 
it is quite probable that in no one thing had those 
changes been greater than in the erection of build- 
ings. The old mode of constructing houses by 
means of logs, and but one story high, continued 
in repute until about the year 1700, when some of 
the more enterprising commenced to erect houses 



72 THE HISTORY OF 

of stone, and to make them two stories high. 
The last of the old log houses stood upon James 
Thornton's property, and was torn down only a 
few years since. Some of the first of the stone 
houses are still standing. Among these are the old 
Gilbert mansion in Byherry, now occupied by 
Thomas James, built in 1708, and the mansion, 
late the residence of Franklin Comly, Esq., in 
Moreland, built in 1702. The house on Thomas 
Townsend's farm was built previous to 1712, by 
James Carver. It was one and a half stories 
high, hip-roofed, and built of stone. It has since 
been materially altered. The houses of William 
Walmsley (now Edwin Tomlinson's), John Carver, 
Thomas Townsend, Jacob Eckfelt, and Eeuben 
Parry, in By berry, and those of Henry Brous, 
Charles Tilly er, and Jacob Saurman, in Moreland, 
are quite ancient, although some of them have 
been modernized in their appearance. Those be- 
longing to Charles Tillyer and Jacob Saurman 
were built previous to 1720, and not having been 
materially altered since, furnish good specimens 
of the antique style of those days. The furniture 
in use was of the plainest kind, and the floors were 
without any carpets. The food of the inhabitants 
consisted principally of such articles as were pro- 
duced on their farms, and but few luxuries, even 
such as are now to be met with in the most humble 
stations, were then to be had. The more common, 
yet indispensable articles, were cheaper than at pres- 
ent. Molasses sold for twenty cents per gallon, salt 
twenty to twenty -five cents per bushel ; but sugar 



BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 73 

was worth fifteen to twenty cents per pound. Beef 
was 4 cents per pound, rum 14 cents a quart, and 
sheepskins $1.75 a dozen. About the year 1750 
the more wealthy began to adopt the fashions and 
customs of Philadelphia. Silk and linen handker- 
chiefs, silk for ladies' gowns, and fustian or cotton 
velvet for coats, were introduced soon afterward, 
but the general article of clothing for both men 
and women was the " linsey-woolsey " made by the 
frugal housewife. The men wore breeches only 
coming to their knees: but these as well as their 
shoes were often ornamented with silver buckles 
of elaborate workmanship. As late as 1760, work- 
ingmen wore pantaloons having no falling flaps, 
but slits in front. They were so large that when 
the seats were worn out the back part was taken 
for the front, and by this means were made to last 
much longer. Some of the gentlemen carried 
muffs to keep their hands and wrists warm; and 
the more elderly women wore bonnets made of 
black silk, which, when on the head, is said to 
have looked much like the top of a Jersey wagon, 
and hence were denominated "wagon bonnets." 

In 1744, breeches made of plush and lined with 
sheepskin were in use, although many buckskin 
breeches continued to be worn in Philadelphia 
by men of rank, and sheepskin was worn by boys 
as late as 1760, and in the country until after the 
Eevolution. These leather dresses were warm and 
comfortable, and were very durable. One man 
tried to wear a pair out, but after many years of 
constant effort, he at last despaired of his pur- 

7 



74 THEHISTORYOF 

pose and cut them into flail-strings. Breeches 
went out of fashion in the early part of the pres- 
ent century. Before they disappeared the name 
had become scarcely tolerable in refined society, 
and those made of buckskin were contemptuously 
called " leather organs." Tea and coifee were in- 
troduced about this time, but were at first used 
only by the more wealthy, and then only on Sun- 
days. Instead of these articles, people made tea 
from garden herbs, and subsequently, during the 
Ee volution, when tea could not be obtained, they 
used the Ceanothus Americana (IS^ew Jersey tea), 
a plant growing abundantly in many localities, 
from which a harmless beverage was made. In 
the place of coffee, rye and wheat — but particu- 
larly the former — were used, and furnished a cheap 
drink for all classes. 

The children were not so carefully dressed .as at 
the present time; and the most of them, both male 
and female, went barefoot about half the j^ear. 
Some of the more saving of the farmers usually 
went without shoes, and when going to market 
carried them in their hands until they reached the 
city, when they put them on and wore them until 
they got beyond the city's limits on their way 
home; they were then taken off, and carried the 
remaining distance. Many curious customs were 
in vogue at this time. Umbrellas had not come 
into use, and on rainy days it was the custom for 
men to wear long oil-cloth cloaks ; oil-cloth covers 
for hats and bonnets were also common. Low- 
crowned hats were at first in use, but when the 



BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 75 

crowns were raised, the covers were carried in 
them, ready in case of an emergency. In moder- 
ate weather men frequently wore overcoats to 
meeting when there was any appearance of rain. 
On one occasion a shower came up rather unex- 
pectedly, and none were provided with a great- 
coat except Edward Parry, who, on being asked 
how it was that he had one, said, " Because I was 
wise." 

When umbrellas were first introduced it was 
considered a disgrace to be seen carrying one, and 
it was a long time before they came into general 
use. 

About this time (1770) it was customary to hold 
fairs at different places in the fall and spring, 
which were attended by a numerous concourse of 
people, both male and female. These were some- 
times held at Philadelphia, and at others at the 
smaller towns, as Frankford, Bristol, &c. Many 
went to make purchases, and others to see what 
was going on, but by far the greater number for 
fun and frolic. Horse racing, dancing, drinking, 
stealing, and gambling, were carried on, and event- 
ually were the cause of their discontinuance. At 
a fair held at Bristol, a Frenchman was caught 
while stealing a plug of tobacco, and was put in 
the stocks and subjected to the scoffs and jeers of 
the crowd. The young men, when the day was 
propitious, went to the fair by hundreds, each 
'' with a bonnie lassie by his side." They were 
generally in their shirt sleeves, with their coats 
tied behind the saddle, and had on thin-soled shoes 



76 THEHISTORYOF 

in which to trip the " light fantastic toe." They 
wore two pair of stockings, the inner one being 
white and the outer one made of colored yarn, 
with the top turned down so as to exhibit the inner 
pair and guard it from the dirt. Boots were not 
introduced until many years afterwards. 

In those days the living was very different from 
what it is now, and visitors were usually treated 
with mush and milk, apple and peach pies, cheese 
curds, home-made wine, and sugar, custards, &c. 
This was good, wholesome fare, and some of it 
would not be bad to take at the present time, par- 
ticularly when one's appetite is sharpened by a 
previous fast. 

Many of the people at that time were unac- 
quainted with the arts and sciences, and when any- 
thing occurred for which they could not offer a sat- 
isfactory explanation, it was attributed to the mar- 
vellous and the supernatural. Some firmly believed 
in witchcraft, but we have no account of any one 
having been punished on account of being a re- 
puted witch. Many tales of witches have been 
related and many a poor woman had the common 
fame of being a witch, eighty or one hundred years 
ago. What may now appear a strange fancy, the 
spirits always selected the poor, thin, old, wrinkled 
women as their subjects, while they carefully 
avoided the young and handsome, the lady of 
wealth and fashion, and the " sterner sex," whether 
of high or low origin. One would suppose that it 
was enough to bear the evils of time and the many 
infirmities of age, without the ills following in the 



BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 77 

train of witches, but as troubles are said never to 
come alone, what else ought we to expect than 
when the sunburnt faces became wrinkled with old 
age, the temper soured by the cares and troubles 
of time, when the teeth had fallen from their sock- 
ets, the cheeks lost their youthful bloom, the head 
whitened by the storms of many winters, and the 
frail beings borne down to the very brink of the 
grave, that they should be seized by the pestiferous 
spirits who manifested their presence in trying 
their charms upon the young people of the place, 
exhibiting strange and unaccountable affection for 
man or beast, haunting the abodes of the timid 
and making unhappy the lives of the nervous. All 
the evils that befell the people were charged to 
their influence, and they were persecuted for crimes 
that wrought no sympathy and of which they had 
no knowledge. Ghosts, spirits, and apparitions 
were objects of fear and apprehension. Many 
would go a long distance around rather than pass 
a burying ground at night, and places dark and 
gloomy, said to be haunted, were carefully shunned. 
A few persons more resolute than their neighbors 
generally, sometimes caught the ghosts and horse- 
whij^ped them so effectually as in the language of 
the boys to make them " hollar," Sorceries and 
incantations were in high repute ; and " witch 
doctors," both male and female, often enjoyed a 
fair share of public patronage. Eegular physicians 
had not then settled in the neighborhood, and pat- 
ent medicine venders were unknown, so that most 
of the diseases were either treated by women doc- 

7* 



78 THEHISTORYOF 

tors — those good old souls who are still found in 
every neighborhood and are always ready to wait 
upon the sick or distressed — or the " charm doc- 
tors," as they were frequently'' called. The old 
women generally resorted to teas, &c., made out of 
garden vegetables ; but when the patient got very 
bad, some skilful son of ^sculapius from Frank- 
ford, German town, or Bristol, was called in and 
paid a few visits, which often served to check the 
disease. The influence of the moon was consid- 
ered to be a settled thing ; and all important acts, 
such as planting seed, putting in the crops, cutting 
timber, killing beef or pork, &c., w^ere made to 
correspond with the signs, phases, &c., of the moon. 
"VYe cannot, however, wonder at all this, for but 
few had enjoyed the privilege of attending school, 
or had had any opportunity afforded them for be- 
coming better informed. Schools were very few 
in number, and these few most miserably conduct- 
ed, the teachers often being but poorly qualified 
for the business. Another great want was books, 
which were but indifferently suited to the pur- 
pose, -mid very expensive into the bargain. We 
find it stated that a school had been established in 
Moreland some time previous to this, but no ac- 
count of it or its teachers has been met with. By- 
berry had but the one school, which was at the 
Meeting House, and under the control of Friends. 
This was kept up most of the time from 1711,* 

* The following are the names of teachers engaged in Byberry 
from 1711 to 1784 : Richard Brockden, William Davis, John Wat- 
more, Roger Bragg, Josiah Ellis, John Pear, Walter Moore, The- 



BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 79 

but the number of scholars in attendance was 
usually small. Only the most common branches 
were taught, such as reading, writing and arith- 
metic, as far as " Practice ;" and those who could 
write a legible hand and perform an example in 
'' Double Eule of Three,'' were looked upon as hav- 
ing a good education. This school at that time 
was one of the best in the country, and its effi- 
ciency may be attributed to the fact of its having 
been under the care of Byberry Preparative Meet- 
ing, in which great interest for the welfare of the 
youth was always manifested. 

Connected with this superstitious age were mar- 
vellous accounts of apparitions, ominous sights, 
and strange occurrences, and these were generally 
made the subjects of conversation during the long 
winter evenings when they were gathered around 
the fireside in social intercourse. The neio-hbors 
often met at these gatherings, when the mug of 
cider and plate of apples went freely round, and 
many a romantic adventure in pursuit of bears, 
wild-cats, raccoons, turkeys, &c., and many an in- 
teresting detail of the prodigious achievements of 
some Samson in felling the forests, husking the 
corn, or reaping the harvests, was related, to the 
infinite delight and satisfaction of the younger 
members present, who, with gaping countenances, 
eagerly drank them in as they fell from the lips of 

mas Horner, Patrick Kelley, Joseph Walton, Isaac Carver, Benja- 
min Gilbert, Jr., Mahlon Carver, Thomas Marshall, and Benjamin 
Kite. Joseph Walton remained fifteen years and Benjamin Kite 
eight years. 



80 THEIIISTORYOF 

the narrators. As but few books or papers were 
then to be had, mneh more traditionary matter 
was handed down than at present, and social feel- 
ings were more fostered as a matter of necessity. 

It appears that, for some years previous to the 
Eevolution, the people of Byberry had become in- 
terested in the cause of civil liberty, and were 
ready to resist what they considered any encroach- 
ments on their rights as citizens by all the means 
consistent with their professed principles. The 
inhabitants of both townships attended the elec- 
tions in Philadelphia, and most of them belonged 
to what was known as the "Assembly Party," in 
opposition to that of the Proprietors, to which the 
city people generally belonged. At these elections 
disputes frequently arose, and in 1742 they came 
to blows, when some of the Byberry and Moreland 
people, along with others from the country, were 
driven from the polls; but, arming themselves with 
clubs, they returned and cudgeled the city party 
without mercy. At these elections there was often 
much difficulty about voting, owing to the great 
numbers present; and, on one occasion, it is said 
that an old man from Byberry, who could not get 
near enough to vote, came home and went all the 
way back again the next day for that purpose. 

Prior to 1780 but few stores had been kept in 
Byberry, and storekeeping was very profitable. 
Giles Knight was the first who engaged in the 
business; but, when James Thornton came over 
from England, he brought some books for sale, and 
soon after conceived the idea of starting a store in 



BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 81 

Byberry. It proved to be veiy profitable, and he 
and his family continued in the business for the 
next forty years. It is said that he cleared £6000 
in twelve years by the business. 

We find that the people of these townships were 
not behind their neighbors in adopting improve- 
ments in agriculture. It had formerly been the 
custom to sow wheat among the corn, after which 
the latter was cleared off; but this practice was 
given up, and the ground where the corn had been 
the previous year was broken up and sown with 
wheat. After the custom of sowing oats was in- 
troduced, the corn ground was broken up in the 
spring, and a crop of oats gathered before sowing 
the wheat in the fall. This was a great improve- 
ment; but, as the crop of wheat sometimes failed, 
some one conceived the idea of sowing clover with 
the oats, and allowing it to remain over one season 
before putting it in with wheat. These two cus- 
toms have remained in vogue ever since. The 
crops of wheat are said to have been very good, 
although but little manure was applied. Harvest- 
ing, for a long time, had been done with the sickle ; 
but, about the year 1750, the scythe and cradle 
were introduced. Many objections were urged 
against this innovation on an old custom, and the 
older farmers determined not to use them; but, 
owing to their so greatly facilitating the labor of 
harvesting, they finally came into general use. 

The first plows used were of the old English 
pattern; but an improved article, with Dutch 
shares and wooden mould-boards made of cherry, 



82 THE HISTORY OF 

thfit naturally twisted in the right direction, after- 
wards came into use.* They worked very well, 
and would turn a smooth furrow; but the iron 
mould-boards soon came up, and the improvement, 
being so obvious, they were immediately adopted. 

In early times people generally travelled on 
horseback ; but about the year 1750 riding chairs 
were introduced, and, in 1764, Byberry and More- 
land could boast of three vehicles of this kind only, 
kept for pleasure. 

Formerly it was customary at Byberry Meeting 
for people to stand up when tired of sitting. When 
Samuel Sparold visited the meeting he observed in 
his sermon, " that if every one had to pay 2d. for 
each time of standing, he thought the practice 
would not be so common." This custom soon 
after w^ent out of fashion. 

During the Eevolutionary War. there was a cave 
in the woods now belonging to Jacob Saurman. 
In this cave an old man lived alone for many 
years, and being very poor, depended upon the 
neighbors for food and clothing. Old Tommy 
Helveson's wife said she frequently carried vic- 
tuals to the hermit, who is represented to have 
been very old, with long white hair and beard, but 
very harmless. Yestiges of the cave still remain. 

Upon examining a list of the names of the in- 
habitants of these townships about the close of 

* A person named Christian Zentman, of Moreland, Montgom- 
ery County, made most of the plows with wooden mould-boards 
used in the townships. After him Thomas Miles started the lousi- 
ness at Fox Chase, and continued it about sixty years. 



BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 83 

the war, one is much surprised to find so many un- 
familiar names ; but he is still more surprised at 
the absence of many of those so familiar as pio- 
neers in the early history. Some families had 
been entirely removed by death, so that not a 
single representative remained ; while others, de- 
lighting in change, and probably conceiving that 
other localities presented a better chance for them 
to become wealthy, had sold out their property, 
and moved to other places. We find, among those 
who thus emigrated, mention made of several of 
the Knights going to West Jersey, in 1717; the 
Comlys and Waltons to Horsham, from 1730 to 
1740, and the Scotts and Comlys to Gunpowder, 
Mar3'land, in 1756. A few of these subsequently 
returned to their native place ; but most of them 
remained, and their descendants may still be found 
peopling those places. 



84 THEHISTORYOF 



PAET II. 

FROM THE CLOSE OF THE REVOLUTION TO THE 
PRESENT TIME. 



CHUKCHES. 

As we have already seen, Byberry, Horsham, 
and Abino-ton Meetina-s were united to form 
"Abington Monthly Meeting;" but in the year 
1782 Byberry and Horsham were detached from 
Abington, so as to form a separate Meeting, to be 
called "Horsham Monthl}^ Meeting," which was 
to be held alternately at the two places. In 1786 
the Monthly Meetings of Abington, Horsham, 
Gwynedd, and Eichland, which had previously 
been attached to "Philadelphia Quarter," were 
united to constitute a new Quarterly Meeting, to 
be known as " Abington Quarter." The select 
members of Byberry at that time were James 
Thornton, a minister, Thomas Townsend, John 
Townsend, Susannah "VYalmsley, G-race Townsend, 
Agnea Walmsley, and Mary Knight. 

In the same year the Preparative Meeting, hav- 
ing no Book of Discipline, paid £5 14s. for a man- 
uscript copy of the same, and it was agreed to cir- 



BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 85 

culate it among Friends, "with caution and care 
to return it again in one month." 

It is a matter of regret that so little is known of 
the religious labors of the ministers at Byberry, 
or of those who visited the place. Henry Tomlin- 
son, who kept an account of many of the more 
important events in the neighborhood, in some of 
his notes on Byberry, makes mention of one Ar- 
thur Howell, preaching at Byberry Meeting, " and 
that he preached well, though a Whig." The same 
person states that in 1788, James Thornton, who 
was the most prominent minister at Byberry, ob- 
tained from the Meeting a certificate to go on a 
visit to his friends in England. On the occasion 
of his departure he preached a farewell sermon to 
a very large congregation of peoj^le, who had as- 
sembled in the meeting-house to hear him. He 
was absent about sixteen months; and on his re- 
turn, the people again gathered in great numbers 
to show the respect they felt for him, as an honored 
neighbor and a worthy minister of the gospel. 

In the year 1796, a census of the members of 
Byberry Meeting was directed to be taken for the 
use of the overseers; when it was found that there 
Avere three hundred and eighty-five members, in- 
cluding adults and children. 

The old meeting-house, which was built in 1714, 
and reconstructed in 1753, began to have a very 
dilapidated appearance before the close of the 
eighteenth century, and by the year 1808 was in 
such a tottering condition that it was no longer 
tenable, and Friends in that year erected ^ vlgw 



86 THEHISTORYOF 

house near the locality of the old one, of the di- 
mensions of 66 by 36 feet, and at a cost of about 
$2600. The whole of this sum was raised by sub- 
scription amoug the members, except about ^60, 
which was given by Abington Meeting in consider- 
ation of a like sum formerly received from Byberry 
for a similar purpose. 

About this time some Friends felt much concern 
in regard to the chano-eable modes of dress ; and 
much was said to discourage Friends, and partic- 
ularly the younger portion, from following the 
fashions of Philadelphia. High-crowned hats, nar- 
row-waisted and sharp-tailed coats, lappel coats 
and sharp-toed shoes, were particularly animad- 
verted upon. The girls were hardly allowed a 
cape to a black silk bonnet, a hood to a cloak, or 
any deviation from the old-fashioned shape and 
cut of a long gown; and Warner Mifflin was so 
much exercised in regard to ornamental show, 
that he carried a chisel and a saw with him when 
travelling about, so as to remove the superfluous 
carvings, &c., from furniture found in Friends' 
houses. At James Thornton's, he attempted to 
remove some ornaments from the clock; but the 
old lady interfered, and friend Thornton told War- 
ner he had better give up the business. 

About the time this matter claimed the attention 
of Friends, some discussion in regard to the use of 
spirituous liquors was introduced into the Meeting. 
Many Friends became very active in the cause- 
and through their influence the custom of hand- 
ing around wine at social gatherings and furnish- 



BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 87 

ing distilled liquor to hands in harvest-time, was 
to a great extent abolished, and probably much 
good was done thereby. 

The subjects of courtship and marriage also oc- 
cupied the minds of many Friends^ who urged the 
discontinuance of the custom of keeping company 
at unseasonable hours, after the rest of the family 
had retired, and some labored heartily to accom- 
plish this end. Parents, who were very strict, en- 
joined the matter upon the young people; but 
others treated the subject rather indifferently, and 
kept to the good old-fashioned way in that very 
important and rather agreeable business. 

The young people, contrary to their usual cus- 
tom, were not in favor of the innovation, and ex- 
pressed themselves as satisfied with sometimes 
waiting, when two only were in company, until 
the " wee sma' hours'^ when all but lovers are 
asleep. The old folks had served an apprentice- 
ship to the delightful business, and why should not 
their children take pattern after them ? 

The number of members belonging to Horsham 
Monthly Meeting had increased so much, that, in 
1810, it was thought desirable to separate the two 
Meetings, and since that time Byberry has had a 
Monthly Meeting consisting of its members only. 
From a census taken at this time, the members of 
the Meeting numbered four hundred and forty-six. 

This year (1810) might be considered rather an 
important one in the history of the Meeting, as it 
was in the latter part of it that John Comly, after- 
ward one of the most noted preachers of the So- 



88 THEHISTORYOF 

ciety, came forward in the public ministry. Some 
others followed his example; and the Meeting 
seems to have been more prosperous than at any 
other period, and all things passed smoothly on 
until the war of 1812, when a number of the mem- 
bers were drafted. Most of these refused to go, 
and were accordingly court-martialed, and fined 
from twenty to one hundred dollars each. They 
could not conscientiously pay these fines, and there- 
fore suifered distraints of their property, which, in 
some cases, was taken and sold. 

The prosperity of the Meeting at Byberry, and 
indeed of the whole Society, continued for many 
years; but there had been a difference of opinion 
upon some important doctrinal points for some 
time, and this spirit of discussion gradually in- 
creased until 1827, when it reached the crisis, and 
a final separation was the result. Byberry Friends 
seem not to have taken much part in the discus- 
sion until the time of the division. There was 
then some difficulty in the Monthly Meeting, as 
both parties desired to retain possession of the 
Meeting's property, and to be considered the 
Monthly Meeting; but it finally ended with the 
Orthodox party withdrawing, and leaving the 
Hicksite portion in peaceable possession. After 
their withdrawal the Orthodox organized a Meet- 
ing for worship, which was held at David Com- 
fort's house, in Byberry, until they had time to 
erect a meeting-house, which they did in the latter 
part of the next year, 1828, on a lot then belong- 
ing to Watson Atkinson, about a half a mile south 



BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 89 

of the old meeting-house, for which they were to 
pay a yearly rent of one ton of hay. In the year 
1834, David Comfort, having purchased the prop- 
erty of Atkinson, deeded the lot to James C. Com-- 
fort and Thornton Comfort, in trust, for the use of 
the Orthodox portion of Friends living in By- 
berry, both as a meeting-house lot and a burying 
ground. It contained about one hundred square 
perches, and was given with a proviso that if the 
said meeting should be discontinued, and no meet- 
ing held there, the trustees were to sow it with 
grass seed, and with the proceeds keep it in good 
order. They continued to hold their meetings at 
this place for several years, and until death had 
removed most of those who took an active part in 
the separation. The others then sold out, and left 
the neighborhood ; and, in the year 1859, meetings 
ceased to be held at this place. The property is 
now under the control of trustees appointed by 
Frankford Monthly Meeting of Orthodox Friends. 
This meeting-house is situated about fifty yards 
from what is now the Byberry and Andalusia turn- 
pike, and persons unacquainted with the circum- 
stances would never think of its having been used 
as a place of worship ; but here, those who be- 
lieved in the Orthodox creed, met together to wor- 
ship the God of their fathers twice a week for 
many a year. Their numbers were indeed few, 
and their house small ; but probably they felt as 
if a small house with a few choice Friends was 
preferable to a larger edifice, filled with strangers. 
My recollections of this spot when a school-boy, 

8* 



90 THEHISTORYOF 

are, that seldom more than a dozen persons con- 
gregated there in the middle of the week, and 
about twice that number on First-days. Asa 
AYalmsley was their preacher, and often have we 
seen him going to and from the Meeting. He was 
a portly old gentleman, his hair silvered o'er with 
age, his dress neat but plain, and strictly corres- 
ponding with his profession, and his whole man- 
ners bespoke the kindness of a humane heart. He 
sometimes stopped to speak to us, when passing 
through our play-grounds, and the impressions 
made upon my mind on such occasions still remain. 
There were two or three sheds connected with this 
house, but they have been taken down, and the old 
frame meeting-house now stands desolate and 
alone, without a single tree or shrub around it ; 
and all those who met here in days gone by — the 
Walmsleys, the Comforts and the Parrys — have 
either removed to other localities, or are numbered 
with the dead. 

At the time of the separation the members of 
Eyberry Monthly Meeting numbered five hundred 
and four, only thirty-nine of whom withdrew. The 
old Meeting still continues well attended ; but to a 
casual visitor it seems to be somewhat on the de- 
cline. It is a large stone edifice, two stories high, 
and surrounded by a number of stately Lombardy 
poplars, which are peculiarly interesting as relics 
of former times, as most of this species so common 
as shade trees around every farm-house twenty 
years ago have since been cut down and the more 
fashionable kinds planted in their place. The ex- 



BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 91 

terior of the house is neat but plain, and its appear- 
ance is sufficient to tell the stranger that it is a 
place of worship for Friends. In front of it, and 
only a few yards distant, is the " old graveyard" 
— the resting-place of many of the ancient inhab- 
itants who now lie in undisturbed repose within its 
crumbling walls ; to the south is the " new grave- 
yard," which is fast filling up, and where every 
narrow cell will soon be tenanted ; and to the north 
is the ''old school-house," where many of the pres- 
ent generation were educated, and in and around 
which many of the scenes of our early life are re- 
membered with exquisite pleasure. The meeting- 
house yard contains about three acres of ground, 
all of which is nicely planted with shade trees, 
giving it a pleasant appearance and affording 
building-places for numerous birds, which, in re- 
turn, make the spring and summer air vocal with 
their music. Long rows of sheds nearly surround 
the place, affording to the horses protection alike 
from the summer's sun and the winter's cold. The 
members being generally in good circumstances, 
go to meeting in their carriages; and on a fine 
summer's morning from eighty to one hundred 
neat vehicles, drawn by handsome and well-fed 
steeds, maj'' be noticed occupying these sheds or 
fastened in the shade of the trees, while their own- 
ers and families are listening to the words of coun- 
sel and wisdom spoken within the sanctuary. Well 
do I recollect these scenes, and often does my 
spirit yearn to mingle with them once again. 
Nearly all the more numerous families in and 



92 THEHISTORYOF 

around Byberry worship here, and the descendants 
of the Comlys, the Carvers, the Knights, the Gil- 
berts, the Waltons, the Townsends, the Walmsleys, 
the Worthingtons, and the Tomlinsons — names 
found away back in the primitive settlement of the 
place — still compose the principal part of the con- 
gregation. Some of the names, familiar then, have 
not now a single representative left; and others, of 
whom we then had no account, now take an active 
part in the Meeting's affairs. The interior of this 
house is exceedingly plain, but there is withal a 
feeling of comfort that makes even a stranger feel 
that he is among friends. As I sat in the house a 
short time since, my thoughts wandered back to 
those who formerly occupied seats at the head of 
the Meetuig, and it seemed to me that I could 
mentally see John and Isaac Comly, James Wal- 
ton, and Joshua Gilbert, each with his own peculiar 
countenance, still sitting in the gallery, gazing at 
the back benches to keep some of us rollicking 
youngsters within the bounds of propriety and 
good order. I remember the solemn stillness that 
pervaded the whole assembly until John Comly 
arose to preach, when a slight bustle followed, but 
quickly died away, and the audience waited with 
suspense for the words of encouragement which all 
expected from his lips. All gave attention to the 
preaching; and as he proceeded in his discourse, 
one might see by their countenances that he was 
touching some of the many strings that are found 
in the human heart. The walls of the old meeting- 
house have at different times reverberated with the 



BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 93 

voices of most of the great preachers belonging to 
the Society, since 1808 — such as Elias and Edward 
Hicks, Priscilla Hunt, Mary Lippincott, Henry 
Eidgeway, John Hunt, and a host of others — some 
of whom came long distances to fulfil their " mis- 
sions of love.'' This spot is now, as it ever has 
been, since the seventeenth century, the cynosure 
of Eyberry, and we hope that many ages will yet 
pass away ere its walls shall crumble or its remi- 
niscences be forgotten. 

The great majority of the people of Byberry are 
Friends, or friendly inclined, yet several of other 
societies have of late settled there. In the vil- 
lage of Somerton and vicinity many of the Meth- 
odist persuasion have settled, and feeling the want 
of a convenient place for religious worship they 
started a meeting in that place at the old school- 
house, several years since. As the society con- 
tinued to increase in numbers and in wealth, they, 
in the year 1848, erected a substantial stone church 
in the east end of the village, and which ranks 
among the improvements of the place. At first 
this church was united with the one at Eustleton, 
and a minister placed in charge of both of them, 
who preached alternately at each place; but the 
circuit was divided in 1858, and since that time 
Somerton has supported a minister alone. This 
meeting and the one at Byberry, are now the only 
ones within the limits of the townships, yet many 
of the inhabitants attend service at Pennypack 
Baptist Church near Bustleton, or at All Saints' 
Church on the Bristol turnpike, a short distance 
from the southern extremity of Byberry. 



94 THEHISTORYOF 



PREACHERS OF BYBERRY MEETING. 

While the Meeting was held near the Eed Lion, 
in the southern part of Byberry, an old account 
says that a man preached there, and mentioned 
that, '' as he was at the plow, the Lord came to 
him and told him to go to such a place ;" that an- 
other man who was present immediately told the 
preacher " he lied ; that the Lord did not come to 
him when at the plow, and tell him to go to such 
a place." 

The first approved minister we hear of at By- 
berry was William Walton. In the minutes of 
Abington Monthly Meeting, mention is made of 
dealing with one William Hibbs, for not taking off 
his hat when William Walton was at prayer. Wil- 
liam Walton was at the head of the Meeting for 
many years, and until his death, in 1736. 

Thomas Walton, a nephew of the above-men- 
tioned William, sometimes preached, especially 
when no other minister was present. He took a 
distinguished station in the meeting, but was never 
recommended. He was disowned about 17G3, for 
not parang his debts. 

Samuel Jackson preached about the year 1737, 
but probably was not recommended. 

Ann Moore was an approved and celebrated 
minister. She resided in Byberry three or four 
years, but removed thence to Maryland, in 1753. 
She was one of the most popular and powerful 
preachers of her time, although she had but little 
education. 



BY BERRY AND MORELAND. 95 

Walter Moore, hnsband of Ann Moore, some- 
times attempted to speak in public meetings, but 
his moral character was exceptionable. He re- 
ceived but little encouragement from the Society 
to which he belonged, and was not held in much 
esteem by them. 

Jacob Scott appeared in the ministry about 1751. 
He took some short religious journeys. He was 
of the Scott family in Bensalem, and afterward 
moved to Marj^land. 

Job Walton, son of William, made some attempts 
at preaching in 1752. His conduct was irregular, 
and he was disowned, probably for intemperance, 
after which his life was unhappy. 

Sarah, daughter of Isaac Bolton, of Southamp- 
ton, was acknowledged as a minister of Byberry 
in 1752. About 1757 she married and removed to 
Maryland, where she died in 1783. 

Abraham Griffith, an approved minister, became 
a member of Byberry Meeting in 1752. He re- 
mained there about three years, and died near 
Mount Holly in 1798. 

James Thornton, an approved minister, settled 
in Byberry in 1752, and became the most distin- 
guished character of the place. He was much es- 
teemed at home, and was very generally known 
throughout the country. 

Mary Comly, wife of James Comly, and sister to 
old John Paul, was a frequent preacher, but her 
sermons were generally short. She was not an 
approved minister. 

Margaret Porter, a native of Byberry, and an 



9G THEIIISTORYOF 

approved minister, sometimes preached from 1762 
to 1770. Afterward she removed to Frankford, 
where she died in 1815, aged 94 years. 

John Gilbert, son of Benjamin Gilbert, the In- 
dian captive, commenced to preach in 1769, but 
was never an acknowledged minister. He left By- 
berry in 1796, and died in Chester County in 1802. 

John Davis, who had been a soldier in the Indian 
wars, was convinced of Friends' principles, and 
became a member about 1760, but was afterward 
disowned for getting intoxicated. 

In 1804 he was reinstated as a member, and 
again became a preacher, but was never recom- 
mended. He resided in Jenkintown for many 
years, and was maintained by Abington Meeting. 
He died in 1819. 

Mary Gilbert, wife of Joshua Gilbert, preached 
about 1780. Her communications were generally 
short. She is spoken of as being " a good kind of 
a woman, but often low-spirited." She died in 1813. 

Ann Hampton, an approved minister from 
Wrightstown, became a member of Byberry in 

1792. She had previously visited the meetings of 
Friends in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and the 
States southward to Carolina. She was considered 
a pious woman, and her ministry gave much satis- 
faction to the Meeting. She died in 1796. 

Hannah Yarnall appeared in the ministry in 

1793, but was not recommended until 1798. She 
travelled considerably, and was much esteemed for 
sincerity and uprightness. 

Euth Walmsley, second wife of Thomas Walms- 



BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 97 

ley (formerly Biith Kirk), came to Byberry from 
Little York in 1794. She was an eminent minis- 
ter, and died in 1798. 

Peter Yarnall, an esteemed preacher, came to 
Byberry in 1797. He was considered one of the 
best preachers of his day, but lived only one year 
after his removal, having died in 1798. 

John Simpson, a celebrated minister from 
Wrightstown, resided in Byberry from 1799 to 
1803. He then removed to Ohio, where he died in 
1811. 

Euth Cadwalader, who for many years resided in 
the Thornton family, commenced preaching in 
1801. She was subsequently recommended, and 
w^as very lively in her discourses. In 1808 she 
married David Grraves, and removed beyond Eed- 
stone. 

David Comfort was born at Middletown in 1777, 
and moved to Byberry in the year 1800. He began 
to preach in 1810, and was recommended in 1817. 
He went with the Orthodox Friends after the sep- 
aration, and subsequently removed to Philadelphia. 

John Comly, probably the greatest preacher that 
ever lived in Byberry, commenced in 11 mo., 
1810. In 1813 he was recommended, and continued 
preaching until his death. 

Amos Hillborn, formerly a member of Wrights- 
town, came to Byberry in 1799. He began to 
preach in 1811, and was approved 1813. He fre- 
quently preached until his death, and was much 
respected. 

James Walton, born in 1774, was for many years 

9 



98 TIIEIIISTORYOF 

an elder in Bj^berry Meeting, and commenced to 
preach in 1812. He lived a consistent life, and was 
much esteemed. 

Michael Trump, from Horsham, resided in the 
township for several years. He began to preach 
in 1813, and was generally esteemed ; but in 1814 
he removed to Kewport. 

Mary Walton, daughter of William Walton, be- 
gan to preach in 1816, and was recommended in 
1818. She married Henry Pike, and removed to 
Frankford in 1821, but is now living in Bj^berry. 

Fanny Oram, a mulatto woman residing in the 
family of James Walton, was religiously inclined, 
and although not a member, spoke several times 
in the Meeting in 1817. 

•Sophronia Osborn, from the State of New York, 
commenced to preach at Byberry in 1819. She was 
considered a lively preacher. 

Emmor, son of John Comly, was a preacher at 
Byberry for several years j^revious to his removal 
to Bristol. He now resides in Philadelphia. 

Benjamin Tomlinson commenced preaching at 
Byberry in 1854. He is now a recommended min- 
ister in the Society, and resides w^ithin the limits 
of the Meeting. 

Elizabeth, daughter of James Walton, commen- 
ced to preach in 1828. She has since removed to 
Philadelphia. 

James Brown, from Crosswicks, New Jersey, 
came to Byberry in 1830. He frequently preached, 
yet his sermons were usually short. He died at 
Mechanicsville, 5th mo., 8th, 1858, aged 84 years. 



BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 99 

Demas C. Worrell commenced to preach in 1832 
at Byberry. He afterwards removed to Horsham, 
and was recommended. 

Elizabeth, wife of Samuel Coleman, came from 
Trenton to Byberry in 1833. She was a frequent 
speaker. Her death occurred in 1836. 

Elizabeth, wife of Samuel Newbold, came to By- 
berry in 1838. She was for many years one of the 
best preachers at Byberry. 

Sarah, wife of Samuel Shotwell, a noted preacher 
from Middletown, came to Bybeny in 1842. She 
continued to preach to the time of her death, which 
occurred 5th mo., 8th, 1^2, in her 72d year. 

Warder Cresson came from Philadelphia in 1819, 
and although but a youth, commenced to preach, 
and continued it for many years. He was never 
much esteemed ; and some years afterwards he left 
his family and made a religious visit to Jerusalem, 
where he resided for several years, wandering 
about the country, and at times attempting to 
preach. By his strange conduct he lost the esteem 
of his former friends. He died at Jerusalem, in 
1860, after having for a long time roved about the 
world. 

Ann Knight, daughter of Thomas Knight, ap- 
peared in the ministry in 1819, but remained in 
Byberry only about one year afterward. 

Benjamin Brown, a preacher from Philadelphia, 
settled in Byberry in 1820. He was not much of 
a speaker, although considered a very consistent 
man. He removed to Bristol in 1835, and has since 
joined the Methodists. 



100 THE HISTORY OF 

SCHOOLS. 

As we have elsewhere observed, the principal 
school ill the townships previous to the Kevolution 
was at Byberry, under the control of the Prepar- 
ative Meeting. Through tlie efforts made by 
Friends, this school was gradually improved in its 
character, and fully kept pace with those in the 
adjoining townships. In 1776, John Eastburn be- 
queathed to Byberry Preparative Meeting the resi- 
due of his estate, after certain legacies had been 
paid out, for the purpose of establishing a school 
fund which would make the school free. This 
amounted to £113 Is. 8^., or about $500. From 
the Meeting's record about this time, it would seem 
that the subject of free schools claimed more or less 
the attention of Friends, but nothing was done 
toward establishing such schools prior to 1800. 
Eastburn's donation appears, however, to have 
made the Meeting more alive to its duties, for in 
1789 Ave find that Watson Atkinson, an able and 
efficient teacher, commenced teaching in a new 
school-house which was built on the Meeting's lot. 
It was only about twenty feet square, and w^as soon 
found to be entirely too small to accommodate the 
pupils, so that an addition was built to it in 1792. 
Atkinson was a man of considerable talent, far 
ahead of those previously engaged in teaching at 
this place, and did much toward improving the 
condition of the school by introducing the study 
of Mensuration, Algebra and Grammar. The prin- 
cipal school-books then in common use Avere Ben- 



BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 101 

nett's Primer, Dilworth's Speller, Eose's Assist- 
ant, Fuller's Catechism, the New Testament, and 
^soj^'s Fables, all of which have since passed out 
of use. In 1794, James Thornton died, and be- 
queathed £100 toward the fund to establish a 
Friends' free school at Byberry ; and John Town- 
send at his death, in 1800, left £50 to be applied to 
the same purpose. These two legacies most prob- 
ably induced Friends to tak^ up the subject again, 
when the plans were so far matured that a free 
school, the first in the townships, was commenced 
in the early part of 1802. It was placed under the 
charge of John Comly, who was paid $15 for the 
first month, but the salary was afterwards in- 
creased. The number of pupils immediately in- 
creased, and the usefulnessof the school was there- 
by much extended. At the close of that year 
Thomas Walton succeeded as teacher, and received 
$253.33 for his year's work. In 1805, the salary 
of the school was increased to $320 per annum, and 
was continued at about that rate until 1812, when 
the arrangements were altered, and the school 
committee received the income from the fund and 
disbursed the money instead of permitting it to be 
paid to the teacher, as had formerly been the cus- 
tom. John Coml}^ taught the school ])revious to 
its being a free school, and it is said while he was 
teacher the school was much improved, and pupils 
from a distance came to receive the benefits of his 
instruction. He added Latin and Greek to the list 
of studies, and several of the youth availed them- 
selves of the opportunity to acquire a knowledge 



102 THE HISTORY OF 

of these languages. Among others who studied 
these branches, we maj^ mention Alexander Knight 
and Thomas Walmsley, two Byberry boys, who 
afterwards studied medicine and became quite 
noted in their profession. In 1795, after some con- 
sultation, it was concluded to start a girls' school, 
and Hannah Thornton opened one at her house, 
which continued for a few months only. Two 
years subsequently it was revived, and Sarah 
Samms was employed as teacher. It was opened 
in the "Little Meeting-House," but was soon after 
closed. It is stated that in 1797 a school-house was 
built near the village of Somerton, and a school 
has been regularly kept there since that time. 
Among its teachers we find the names of Thomas 
Knox, who taught the school for many years, and 
was at the same time tax collector in Moreland; 
Charles Dyer, William Cameron and James Bunt- 
ing. This house was built of stone, and was torn 
down only a few years since, although it had not 
been used for school purposes since 1847. The idea 
of a girls' school was not given up after the failure 
at the " Meeting-House," and in 1804 John Comly 
was induced to open a boarding school for girls at 
his own house, and, for the accommodation of the 
neighborhood, took in day scholars. At first it was 
successful, but for some reason, in 1810, it was 
changed to a boys' school. There were several at- 
tempts made at starting boarding schools in By- 
berry after this time, but they met with very little 
success, and were all sooner or later discontinued. 
Among the more prominent of these was one 



BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 103 

opened by Thomas Samms, Jr., at his residence, in 
1816, which was continued one year, and one kept 
by Eber Hoopes for six months, at Byberry Cross- 
roads, in 1813. This commenced with thirty-four 
pupils, but was discontinued for want of patronage. 

Although the school at the Meeting-House was 
started as a free school in 1802, yet it was free only 
to those who contributed to the " fund," or to such 
as were in straitened circumstances. Others paid 
by the quarter, as they had previously done. Prior 
to 1813, the usual price was $2 per quarter, but in 
that year it was raised to $2.25. 

In 1811, a few Friends associated for the pur- 
pose of establishing a school for girls. They pro- 
vided a house, which was placed on a lot near the 
store, and the school went into operation under 
the supervision of the Association. This school 
was very successful, and w^as continued in the same 
building until 1827, when the house was sold and 
the school was afterwards kept in the second story 
of the school-house, on the Meeting's grounds, 
until 18B8, at which time it was discontinued. The 
teachers of the school were Ann Barton, Eachel 
Parry, Hannah Barton, Elizabeth Walton, Lydia 
McCarty, Ann Webster, Martha Parry, Sarah Iden, 
Eachel Pasmore, Mary Edmundson, Ann Stevens, 
Elizabeth Knight, Mary Shourds, Ann Buckman, 
Ann Churchman, Deborah Shaw, and Mary Beans. 

While Isaac Carver taught in the old school- 
house in Byberry, he was somewhat addicted to 
strong drink, and Benjamin Gilbert went around 
and persuaded nearly all his pupils from him, and 



104 THE HISTORY OF 

opened an opposition school in the " Little Meet- 
ing-Hoiise." Carver still continued to keep In the 
old house, and the pupils attending the two schools 
fixed upon a line to divide them. When either 
party crossed this, the other one would attack 
them and a fight would ensue. The school-house 
stood on William Walmsley's ground, and it was 
resolved, as Carver would not close the school, that 
William Walmsley and Joseph Thornton should, 
on the Seventh day fi)llowing, when Carver had 
no school, tear down the old building, and thus end 
the trouble, which was accordingly done. On Sec- 
ond day. Carver, not knowing what had been done, 
went as usual to his school, and to his surprise 
found the house in ruins. He then went to Walms- 
ley, and threatened to sue the perpetrator of the 
outrage; but upon being told who did it, he was 
satisfied to go no further than to scold very vio- 
lently about the matter. After this Isaac kept a 
school several years in his own house, where Eich- 
ard Cripps now lives. This he continued until the 
year of his decease, in 1786. 

In the year 1826, Henry Pike opened a board- 
ing school on Byberry and Bensalera turnpike, near 
the village of Knightsville. It was at the house 
lately owned by James Buckman, and was mainly 
for small boys. It proved successful, and was con- 
tinued until 1844, a period of eighteen years. 

In 1832, Eobert Pitman made proposals for open- 
ing a French school in the evenings at Bj^berry 
school-house. His class was small, and consisted 
principally of girls; but as the matter was dis- 



BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 105 

couraged by many, it was soon discontinued. Sev- 
eral small schools, taught by females, were opened 
in different j^arts of the townships from time to 
time, but they were usually of short continuance; 
yet they had their use and their place in the great 
work of education. This subject was daily becom- 
ing more important in the minds of the people, and 
they felt a desire to give their children a better 
education than could be obtained at any of the 
common schools. Accordingly, several of the 
members of Byberry Meeting, after consultation, 
concluded to establish a school where the higher 
branches should be taught. It was established in 
1836, and David Griscom engaged as its teacher. 
Through his wise administration, it rapidly rose 
in public estimation ; pupils from other vicinities 
flocked to the school, and its success seemed settled 
beyond peradventure. Some, who were at the head 
of the matter, obtained the idea that it would pay 
to make a stock company of the whole concern, 
and to erect proper buildings for a first-class board- 
ing school. These were built the next summer on 
a portion of James Thornton's land, at a cost of 
about $4000, and in the spring of 1838, the school 
was opened in the new buildings under very favor- 
able auspices. But the change in the management 
of the affairs seems to have been unwise ; and, be- 
fore the project was fairly under way, David Gris- 
com resigned on account of poor health, and John 
Lewis was selected as his successor. The school, 
however, was a failure; and in 1843 the company 
sold out the whole concern at public sale to James 



106 THE HISTORY OF 

Thornton for $1600. For several years after this 
a private boarding school was kept here, but was 
never very successful, and frequent changes were 
the result. Prominent among the proprietors were 
John Lewis and Samuel Smith, the latter of whom 
remained two or three years, and generally had a 
good school. It was for both boj^s and girls, but 
was discontinued after he left, and the school-house 
removed to the lot fronting Byberry store, and 
converted into a dwelling-house. 

A school was started at Mechanicsville, several 
years since, and was for some years taught by 
Mary Gilbert, and afterwards by Abi Townsend. 
About the year 1849 a difficulty arose in regard to 
the black children attending the public schools, 
and Charles Knight, who was then one of the di- 
rectors, had the school at Mechanicsville changed 
into a colored school, to be called the James Forten 
School. Abi Townsend was the first teacher of 
this school; after her were Susan McDowell and 
Hannah Clayton, the latter of whom is still the 
teacher. In 1855, this school was changed to one 
for white children, and the name is now Mechan- 
icsville School. "While it was a school for colored 
children but few of that class patronized it, but 
the most of them sent to the Friends' school at 
the meeting-house. For a number of years back 
no distinction has been made, and all, without re- 
gard to color, have been admitted into the public 
schools. For many years a school was kept at 
Pleasantville, and Charles Dyer was its last teacher. 
His salary, in 1846, was only two hundred dollars 



BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 107 

per annum. It was discontinued in 1847, and the 
pupils have since attended the school at Somerton. 
The present school-house at the latter place was 
built in 1847, on the lot within a few yards of the 
old one. It is only one story high, is called the 
Patrick Henry School, and will accommodate about 
seventy pupils. James Bunting, its present teacher, 
has been there for several years, and was the suc- 
cessor of William Cameron, a Scotchman, who for 
many years was considered the most learned 
teacher anywhere in that vicinity. He was some- 
times fond of indulging in " spirits," and on such 
occasions would be very amusing to the pupils 
under his charge. The only school now or for 
many years kept in Moreland is on the road lead- 
ing from the Lady Washington Hotel to the Eed 
Lion Hotel, on the Bristol turnpike, a short dis- 
tance from where it crosses the Bustleton and 
Somerton road. We have not met with any ac- 
count of its early history, and, after considerable 
inquiry, have been able to collect only the following 
meagre sketch. There has been a school kept in 
this place since 1790. It was for many years a pay 
school, and was then taught by the following per- 
sons, probably in the order in which we give their 
names: John Watts, Samuel Helverson, Alexander 
Burke, John Bankson, Howard Trego, George C. 
Bancroft, Jesse Wright, Charlotte Wright, Martha 
Walton, J. E. Willis, and James Wheatland. In 
1830, Howard Trego was the teacher of this school, 
and is still spoken of as having been an excellent 
one. The price of tuition then was two dollars 



108 THE HISTORY OF 

per quarter, and in 1835 three cents per day, the 
stationery and fuel being extra. This school was 
placed under the charge of the Controllers of the 
First School Section, about 1837. The old school- 
house was built of stone, and, by a system of pack- 
ing, fifty or sixty pupils were frequently found 
within its walls. It was in a very dilapidated con- 
dition for many years previous to 1842, and a new 
building was badly needed; accordingly, soon after 
this date, the Controllers erected the j)resent house 
on the site of the old one. At that time no deed 
for the property, and no record of any kind, could 
anywhere be found; the inhabitants of the town- 
ship therefore met, and agreed to give up all right, 
title, &c., to the Controllers forever, on condition 
of their erecting a new building, which they did 
at an expense of eight hundred dollars. There 
were two old weeping willows that stood a few 
feet to the south of the old school-house, and these 
were the only shade trees on the ground. In the 
southern end of the lot was an open spring where 
the pump is now, and, as the lot was not fenced in 
from the public road, it aiforded water to the road 
cattle as well as to the children, and was often in 
such a filthy condition as to be unfit to drink. The 
woodland back of the school-house then extended 
up to the lot, and was a favorite place of resort for 
the pupils, who usually spent most of their noons 
in rambling through it ; but for many years back 
this has been inclosed, and the children not per- 
mitted within its limits. Since the new school- 
house was built, William A. Murray, John B. 



BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 109 

Newell, George W. Fetter, John Murray, Lewis 
Felten, Joseph C. Martindale, William Cameron, 
William Burke, William H. Neville, and Joseph 
Morison, have been its teachers. The school is 
not so well attended as in former years, and the 
pupils not so far advanced. 

A school was kept for several years at Knights- 
ville, on the Eyberry and Bensalem turnpike. It 
was always small, and was at first in a part of the 
house since owned by Judge Knight. Afterwards 
it was kept in a small tenement nearly opposite to 
where John Bevan now resides. After the new 
school-houses were erected in Byberry, in 1847, it 
was discontinued, and the old house was moved 
back into John Tomlinson's orchard, where it is 
now used as a sort of store-house in general. The 
principal teachers of this school were Susan Al- 
bertson, Mary L. Packer, Charles Sayre, and Jane 
Hillborn. 

A school was kept for a short time on what is 
now the Byberry and Andalusia turnpike, in a 
small house on Emmor Comly's farm. The house 
is now used as a dwelling. It was called By- 
berry Primary School, but continued only a few 
months. Jane Hillborn, I think, was the only 
teacher. About the year 1842 a boarding-school 
for girls was commenced by Sarah Comly at her 
residence, in Byberry. It continued about three 
years, and was pretty well attended, numbering as 
its pupils nearly all the larger girls in the neighbor- 
hood. In the year 1800 a school-house was built at 
Powelton, on the Byberry and Moreland line, on a 

10 



110 THE HISTORY OF 

lot given by Silas Walton and Edward Duffield, for 
school purposes; and during the same year, a log 
house was erected thereon. It was called the By- 
berry and Moreland School, and has been kept up 
regularly since that time. In 1854 the Controllers 
had the lot conveyed to them, and a new stone 
buildino; was erected near the site of the old one. 
The lot is beautifully situated, having a gentle 
slope to the road, and an abundance of shade trees. 
Many of these are maples ; hence, when the new 
building was erected, it was designated as the 
"Maple Grove School." Soon after this the old 
log house was sold at public sale to Isaac White 
and taken down, and nothing now remains to tell 
where it stood. Pupils from both of the townships 
attend this school, yet it has always been rather 
small. We have met with no account of its teachers, 
and can now recollect only the following: Joseph 
Naylor, Eichard Burke, Samuel Jones, Jacob Sides, 
Monroe L. Yansant, Francis Tomlinson, James 
Houseman, Elwood P. Dudley, John W. Saurman, 
and William Wheatland, the latter of whom still im- 
parts wisdom to the rising generation under his care. 
About the year 1847, Naylor's System of Geog- 
raphy was introduced into the townships, and a 
class was started at Byberry Hall by Henry Laf- 
fert. By this system the geography of the whole 
world was taught in three wrecks, the class chant- 
ing the names of the towns, rivers, islands, &c., 
from large outline maps. Soon after this, James 
Thornton, Jr., started a class at the " College," 
and afterwards had another at the Byberry school- 



BYBERRY AND MORELAND. Ill 

house, both of which were well attended. A school 
of the same kind was afterwards started by Abi- 
gail Eoberts, and the system was finally introduced 
into the public schools, but it did not answer well 
there, and was long since discontinued. In the 
year 1816, some of the people in the northern part of 
Byberry became dissatisfied with the school at the 
meeting-house, and desired to have a school-house 
built in a place more convenient to them. After 
considerable noise respecting the establishment of 
this school, it was finally agreed that one should be 
erected on land which James Walton and Mardon 
Wilson were willing to sell for that purpose. This 
lot was situated on what is now Byberry and Ben- 
salem turnpike, opposite to the woods lately owned 
by Charles Walmsley. It contained about half an 
acre of land, for which was paid sixty dollars, and 
it was always left open to the public road, so that 
it was a rendezvous for sheep, cows, &c. The 
house erected thereon during the same year was a 
small one-story stone building twenty by twenty- 
five feet. It would seat about forty pupils un- 
comfortably, and cost only one hundred and fifteen 
dollars. Joseph Comly, John Eoberts, James Bon- 
ner, Israel Walton, James Walton, Mardon Wilson, 
and Josiah Walton, were among the prime movers 
in this matter. The school was placed under the 
care of Byberry Preparative Meeting, and trustees 
were annually appointed by that body to have 
charge of it. 

The yard was a few feet higher than the road, 
and was filled with trees, several of which were 



112 THE HISTORY OF 

walnuts, hence the beautiful and appropriate name 
of " Walnut Hill," by which the school has ever 
been known. This spot has been the scene of 
many joys in times gone by, and many now living 
can revert with pleasure to their school days at 
AYalnut Hill. In front of the lot was a piece of 
woodland containing several acres, belonging to 
Charles AYalmsley, through which the school chil- 
dren rambled at pleasure to pluck the earliest 
spring flowers that shoot forth almost from be- 
neath the snow, or gather a bouquet of asters and 
golden rods even after the chill November winds 
had caused all others to wither and die. To the 
east, and only a few yards away, a little brook 
flowed merrily along, aff'ording to the boys a fine 
opportunity for constructing mills, milldauis, water- 
falls, &c., and it was seldom in the summer-time 
that some of these could not be seen along its 
course. A few fish also sported beneath its clear 
surface, and the little boys who were fond of 
angling often, with a thread and crooked pin, 
spent an entire noon in the vain attempt to draw 
a minnow or a redfin from beneath the roots that 
overhung the stream. Some fine old chestnut trees 
stood along the meeting-house road by the woods, 
and these, as well as the orchard belonging to 
Watson Comly, were frequently visited by those 
who were fond of chestnuts and apples — and what 
bo3"S are not? — much to the detriment of the 
owner. But the palmy days of Walnut Hill are 
gone, for not a walnut tree now remains on the lot, 
and the old school-house stands desolate and alone, 



BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 113 

— a wreck of its former usefulness. The cheerful 
voices of merry children no more are heard within 
its walls, for it is now only a receptacle for posts 
and cord wood; and the greensward on which hun- 
dreds of rollicking youths have whiled away many 
a happy hour, has been turned down by the plow, 
and all traces of their childlike games, like many 
of themselves, are gone forever. When last we 
passed that way the door stood open ; one shutter 
was gone and another much broken ; the fence had 
been removed from the lot; and there was but 
little left to remind the traveller that it had ever 
been a school. There have doubtlessly been sev- 
eral teachers at this place, but we have met with 
the names of but few of them. These few are 
Mary Walton, Ethan Wilson, Joseph Wilson, Aaron 
Ivins, Dubre Knight, Charles Dyer, Catharine Der- 
mot, Howard Trego, Eandall Myers, Mary Beans, 
George W. Huntsman, Maria Houseman, John 
Lewis, Albanus Groom, John Eeese, and Benja- 
min Walton. Ethan Wilson was among the first 
teachers at this school, and did not give entire 
satisfaction, so the trustees told him "to quit" at 
the end of the quarter. Ethan, however, thought 
differently, and refused to go. The trustees rea- 
soned with him, but as he would not do their way 
they thought it best to do his, and he went when 
he got ready. Ethan was very fond of arguing, 
and attended all the debating schools in the vicin- 
ity, where many a Demosthenes was forced to 

" Own his skill, 
For even though vanquished he could argue still." 
10* 



114: THE HISTORY OF 

Charles Dyer taught the school for many years, 
and was much esteemed as a good teacher; but like 
most others who follow that profession for a long 
series of years, he became very cross in his old 
days, and the mischievous boys often rued their 
conduct when the flexible hickory fell unsparingly 
upon their backs. 

On one occasion the stovepipe fell down, and the 
old man, while putting it up, unfortunately burned 
his fingers, when, in order to alleviate the pain, he 
flogged all the boys who were in the school-room 
at the time. But with all his harshness he was a 
kind old soul, and his many good deeds will con- 
tinue to live after his few errors are forgotten. 
This school was discontinued in 1847, when the 
new school-houses were finished, and most of the 
pupils were transferred to the Godfrey School, at 
Lazy Lane. Some few attempted a private school 
there under the charge of Benjamin Walton as 
teacher, but a few months sufficed to close the 
school, to be opened no more. Some years after 
that an Act of the Legislature was obtained by 
Israel Walton, John P. Townsend, and others, to 
sell the property; accordingly it was sold, and now 
belongs to David Dyer. The money arising from 
this sale, amounting to $200, has been put at in- 
terest so as to create a fund for procuring better 
accommodations for Byberry Librarj^. 

In 1847, the Controllers of Public Schools con- 
cluded, for the better accommodation of the chil- 
dren in Byberry, to build three new school-houses, 
— one at Somerton,one at Lazy Lane, and one at 



BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 115 

Cresson's Corner. The one at Somerton we have 
already spoken of in a previous paragraph. The 
other two were opened, in 1848, by the directors, 
Charles Knight, John Tomlinson, and Lewis Eum- 
ford. The erection of these school-houses was vio- 
lently opposed by many of the inhabitants, who 
refused to avail themselves of the opportunity to 
school their children at the public's exjoense. The 
schools, and all connected with them, were de- 
nounced in the most bitter terms, and the children 
who attended were styled pauper children. One 
man went so far as to declare that he would never 
permit his children to attend the public schools 
while he had " an under garment'^ for his back, yet 
in a few months his children were sent to the 
identical school, and the gentleman, it is presumed, 
wears a shirt to this day. So odious were those 
institutions to some, that they forbade their chil- 
dren even to walk across the school-house grounds ; 
but time^ the great assuager of all evils, real and 
imaginary, and self-interest^ the producer of the 
"second and more sober thought," soon induced 
them to patronize the new schools, which have 
since become their pride rather than their dis- 
grace. 

The school at Lazy Lane was built upon a 
lot purchased of Watson Comly, by the city, and 
was named the Godfrey School, after the inventor 
of the quadrant, Thomas Godfrey. It is beauti- 
fully located ; and as the yard was planted with 
shade trees soon after the erection of the building, 
there is now plenty of shade to shield the pupils 



116 THE HISTORY OF 

from the burning heat of the summer's sun. The 
teachers at this school have been James Ivins, 
Bobert Ivins, Edward Ivins, Eobcrt Eastburn, 
Francis Tomlinson, Henry Tschudi, J. C. Martin- 
dale, Charles A. Singer, E. A. Singer, Eobert Barn- 
well, John B. Iredell, James W. Lear, and Charles 
Eoberts, the latter gentleman still occupjdng the 
situation. 

The school at Cresson's Corner was built on a lot 
purchased from Lewis Rumford, by the Control- 
lers, and was named the Benjamin Rush School, 
after Dr. Benjamin Rush, one of the most noted of 
Byberry's citizens. The school was first taught 
by Jacob Sides, who remained there for several 
years, and was accounted a good teacher. He is 
now Principal of the Newton Boys' Grammar 
School, in West Philadelphia. The next teacher 
was J. M. Yan Arsdalen, who has since studied 
law, and now is a member of the bar in Bucks 
Count^T-. Since his time the teachers have been 
Wallace Dudley, George M. Sayre, John W. Saur- 
man, George Gilbert, Charles G. Freed, and Jacob 
H. Lukens. This school is not so well located as 
that at Lazy Lane, and the attendance is not so 
large. 

We have now given a short account of all the 
schools within the townships except the one at the 
meeting-house, which is known as Byberry School, 
and which is the most ancient as well as interest- 
ing institution of learning in either place. We 
have already spoken of some of the early teachers 
of this school, and of some of the difficulties which 



BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 117 

impeded it in its career of usefulness; but owing 
to the liberal opinions of the Society of Friends, 
who have always fostered institutions of learning, 
its progress has been onward, and generally in ad- 
vance of all its contemporaries. The old house 
built in 1792, and which is still remembered by 
some of the older inhabitants as the one in which 
they obtained the major part of their early educa- 
tion, remained standing until 1823, when the pres- 
ent building was erected in its place. This house 
is about twenty feet wide by thirty feet long, two 
stories high, and is built of stone. The lower floor 
is now occupied for school purposes, and will seat 
about fifty pupils, but on the second floor a small 
room has been partitioned ofl' for the Byberry Li- 
brary. The remaining part still has the school 
furniture in it, although no school has been kept 
here since the year 1847. In the lower room a 
single row of desks were formerly placed around 
next to the walls, so that all the pupils sat facing 
the stones and mortar, and mostly had their backs 
to the teacher. The benches consisted of a num- 
ber of stools, without backs, fastened to a plank 
ten or twelve feet long, and so arranged as to suit 
the desks. On these the pupils sat from morning 
till night, leaning over their desks in front, but 
without any support whatever for their backs. 
The desks had lids, which could be lifted up when 
it w^as desired to examine the contents within ; 
and the boys and girls might often be seen with 
the lids resting on their heads, much to their detri- 
ment in the way of study. In the centre of the 



118 THE HISTORY OF 

room, previous to 1840, stood the old wood stove, 
in which many a cord of oak and hickory had 
been consumed. It was then the duty of the 
larger boys to split up enough wood to keep the 
room warm ; and when an arm-load was wanted, 
one of them was detached for that duty, and soon 
returned with the required amount. At noon-time 
the boys and girls took turns in sweeping out the 
school-room; but neither this nor the splitting of 
wood was then considered a hardship, although 
they might occasion a little " grumbling" if en- 
forced at the present day. 

Then, too, we had the good old quill pens, which 
were regularly mended by the teacher after each 
lesson in writing, which was generally given morn- 
ing and afternoon. The copies, too, had to be 
ruled by him — a task never imposed upon the 
teacher noAv. Soon after this the steel pen was 
introduced, and at first the price was as high as 
ten cents for a single pen. The school-room then 
had but little furniture, and for many years after 
I commenced going, we had not an outline map, a 
chart, or a blackboard in the school. The first 
blackboard I ever saw was one made of poplar 
boards, planed smooth and painted black, and 
brought to the school in 1845 by John Williard. It 
answered the purpose as long as I attended the 
school. On it the teacher, at long intervals, per- 
formed an example in arithmetic ; but the princi- 
pal use made of it was to teach the smaller chil- 
dren their tables. 

The books then in use were Pike's and Rose's 



BYBERRY AND MORE LAND. 119 

Arithmetics, the New Testament, the Introduc- 
tion, English Eeader, Sequel, Cowper's Task, the 
Expositor, Comly's Speller, and Olney's Geogra- 
phy. All of these have long since heen discarded 
for the much better ones now published. Very 
little explanation of any kind was then given by 
the teacher, and the only wonder now is that the 
pupils learned anything at all. This school, as 
well as all others in the townships, remained under 
the control of Byberry Preparative Meeting until 
about the year 1837, when the Court of Quar- 
ter Sessions appointed Charles Knight and John 
P. Townsend directors for Byberry; and Jacob 
Shearer, Jr., and Thomas Eeading, for Moreland. 
In 1840, John P. Townsend, Charles Walmsley, 
and Yarn all Walton were directors for Byberry, 
and Jacob Shearer, Thomas Heading, and Jacob 
Saurman for Moreland. 

Soon after this they ceased to be appointed by 
the Court, and have ever since been elected by the 
people. The following are the names of the teach- 
ers since 1784, as far as we have been able to ob- 
tain them : Christopher Smith, Watson Atkinson, 
John Comly, Thomas Walton, Ethan Comly, Ben- 
jamin Moore, Joshua Gilbert, Isaac Moore, Eobert 
Parry, Charles Hampton, Eber Hoopes, Job Lip- 
pincott, Nathaniel Pettit, Mardon Wilson, John 
Maule, John Dickenson, Charles Atlrerton, Joshua 
Y. Buckman, Joshua Gilbert, Howard L. Trego, 
Seth Trego, William Wood, Euth Banes, Joshua 
Fell, Hannah Fell, Sarah Fell, James Ivins, George 
A. Newbold, Elliot Smith, Watson C. Martindale, 



120 THE HISTORY OF 

Jane Hillborn, Eebecca Buckman, Elizabeth Comly, 
Hughes Gourley, and Achsah Blakey. 

John Comly was probably the most prominent 
among this list of teachers, and is said to have im- 
proved the school more than any of his predeces- 
sors. Joshua V. Buckman is spoken of as having 
been an excellent teacher. After he left By berry 
he was for some years princij)al of the grammar 
school at Bristol, and is now a resident of that 
place. Howard L. Trego, who commenced there 
in 1834, was a teacher much beloved by his pupils, 
and was held in high esteem by his employers. 
He was very much interested in the study of nat- 
ural science, and was one of the founders and most 
active members of the By berry Philosophical So- 
ciety. He was probably one of the best botanists 
that have ever resided in the townships, and is 
spoken of by those who frequently enjoyed his 
company while rambling through the woods and 
meadows, as having a very familiar acquaintance 
with the flora of that vicinity. He was fitted as 
a close observer of Nature's laws, and could detect 
differences in the forms of plants, and arrange 
them under their proper orders, with more facility 
than most persons. This love of flowers he carried 
with him to the school-house, and on each side of 
the door might be seen a flower-bed containing 
many beautiful floral specimens, which he tended 
with his own hand. He was kind to his pupils, 
and in return they loved and respected him. After 
leaving the Byberry school he started a boarding- 
school on the Bristol turnpike, near Andalusia, and 



BY BERRY AND MORELAND. 121 

after residing there a few years he went out West, 
where he was killed by the fall of his house, dur- 
ing one of the terrible hurricanes that sometimes 
sweep over those western plains. He was suc- 
ceeded by Seth Trego, a man of violent temper, 
and one totally unfit to be an instructor of youth. 
The large pupils were permitted to do as they 
pleased, while the smaller ones were abused with- 
out mercy. He remained but a few mouths; yet 
his conduct toward us was so unkind that I never 
think of him but with feelings of regret that he 
ever was my teacher. While here, he, along with 
some others, sent up a balloon from the lot in front 
of the store. It went about a mile, then lodged in 
some tall trees, from which it was soon after ob- 
tained by those who sent it up. It created consid- 
erable excitement in the neighborhood at the time. 
The next teacher was William Wood, who lacked 
the necessary nerve to preserve good order. At 
that time many large boys attended the school ; and 
it was no uncommon thing, in the winter season, 
to have upwards of seventy pupils in attendance, 
and twenty of these over sixteen years of age. 
On one occasion, one of the large boys got into 
trouble with the teacher, when a scuffle ensued, 
and the teacher, aided by one of the other pupils, 
gave the offender a " sound drubbing." Joshua 
Fell came about 1840, and continued to be our 
teacher for upwards of six years. He was a suc- 
cessful teacher, and advanced the pupils more 
rapidly than any of his predecessors. He kept ex- 
cellent order, and was generally beloved by his 

11 



122 THE HISTORY OP 

pupils. But few pranks were played while he was 
there, for 

** Full well the boding trembler learned to trace 
The day's disasters in his morning's face ;" 

and full well did we all know that his word was 
law, and that his dignity was not to be trifled 
with. After leaving the school, he commenced 
the mercantile business in Bucks County, where 
he still resides. 

In 1848, this school was given up by the Con- 
trollers of Philadelphia, and it has since been 
under the charge of the meeting, and been sup- 
ported by the school fund. 

Connected with my school-boy days, at this 
place, are some reminiscences which I cannot neg- 
lect to chronicle here, for 

"In my poor mind it is most sweet to muse 
Upon the days gone by — to act in thought 
Past seasons o'er, and be again a child." 

As this school-house is on the meeting's prop- 
erty, the pupils have always been allowed the 
entire range of the grounds during their hours of 
recreation, and well have they used it for their 
enjoyment. In the winter-time and in rainy 
weather the long rows of sheds offered a most 
glorious place for playing ball : and during the 
summer the large yard, so well filled with shade 
trees, furnished to all an opj^ortunity for recrea- 
tion and amusement such as the pupils of other 
schools have seldom known. Fronting the house, 
and only a few yards from the door, stands a large 



BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 123 

white oak, which has endured the storms of many 
a winter ; and at each end may still be seen a large 
willow tree, whose leaves have kept off the rays 
of the morning and evening sun for upwards of 
half a century. A little to the south is the pump, 
shaded by a smaller willow, which has grown 
from a small limb stuck there while I was a school- 
boy. In the northwestern part of the yard stands 
a noble old oak, under whose wide-spreading arms 
we have spent many an hour, sometimes listening 
to the sweet songs of the birds in its branches, and 
at others stretched out upon the greensward, and 
with half-closed eyes listlessly musing upon the 
events of our boyhood life. At the south end of 
the lot are two large buttonwoods, near which the 
old schoolhouse formerly stood, and under which 
is the well, though now covered up, at which our 
fathers and grandfathers often slaked their thirst. 
Some of the small trees, up w^hich we often climbed 
and bent over till their tops touched the earth, are 
now of such dimensions as would require an hour's 
hard labor to fell them to the ground. The whole 
of this yard is covered with grass, and has been 
the playground for thousands of happy children 
who knew no sorrow. Well do I recollect those 
joyous hours, when in company with my play- 
mates we leaped the cat-gallows, hid the handker- 
chief, played blind man's buff, chased the flitting 
butterfly, or whipped the humble-bee's nest — hours 
fraught with pleasures, unmarred by their usually 
accompanying pains ; but those joyful moments, 
almost the only real happy ones of life, are past 



124 THE HISTORY OF 

and gone^ and many who were then participators, 
noAV sleep beneath the little mounds of the silent 
graveyard, while others are still roaming o'er the 
wide world to seek a fortune or a name. Yet, 
amid the turmoils and cares of this life, we often 
revert to the past, for 

"How sweet to every feeling heart 

Is the mem'ry of the past; 
To think of days when love and joy 

Around our hearts were cast ; 
To let our thoughts swift take their flight 

O'er days when life was new, 
To roam through haunts of pleasant youth, 

And all those scenes again renew." 

ASSESSMENTS, &c. 

The names of nearly all the early settlers of the 
townships have been lost, for want of some chroni- 
cler to hand them down to future generations; but 
a man's necessities will sometimes compel him to 
do what he would otherwise have but little taste 
for, and such seems to have been the case with 
Thomas Knight, who kept a store in Byberry, in 
1775. It was customary then as now for men to 
buy on credit, and Thomas was forced to enter 
their names On his books, together with the arti- 
cles which each one purchased. These books con- 
tain over one hundred names, which is the earliest 
list that we have found. Among these we find the 
Waltons, Townsends, Parrj^s, Willards, Greens, 
Vankirks, Edwardses, Fosters, Eodmans, Free- 
mans, Woodingtons, Streets, Enochses, Stateses, 



BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 125 

Grooms, Walmsleys, Hibbses, Dungans, Yande- 
grifts, Gilberts, Tomlinsons, Eandalls, Comlys, Hal- 
lowells, and Wilsons. 

Prior to the Eevolution, the population of By- 
berry was rather sparse, as there were but ninety 
persons registered as taxable in 1779. At the same 
time the real estate was assessed at £180,850, and 
the rate of taxation fixed at fifty shillings per 
£100. Money at interest was taxed at three pence 
per pound. In 1783, the assessment gave 5618 
acres, which was divided into fifty-three farms and 
lots. There were 122 horses taxed at $37.33 per 
head, 114 cows at $10 per head, and 230 sheep at 
ten shillings each. Two tan yards were assessed 
— one to Giles Knight, at $140, and the other to 
Abel Kelley, at $160. John Jackson and John 
Britton had each one slave, and Dr. Edwards two, 
which were taxed at $133.33 per head. The num- 
ber of slaves appears to have increased subsequent- 
ly, for, in 1786, eleven were assessed, seven of them 
to Dr. Edwards, at $200 each. 

The people of Byberry, in common with their 
neighbors, felt the good effects of a peaceful 
country, and basked in the sunshine of prosperity. 
Business of all kinds was much improved, and the 
population increased so rapidly, that in 1814 the 
number of taxables was 183; in 1830 it was 225; 
and in 1863 it was 264. The enumeration of the 
inhabitants of Byberry, made under the direction 
of Congress, resulted as follows : in 1800, 579 per- 
sons; in 1810, 767 persons; in 1820, 876 persons; 

11* 



126 THE HISTORY OF 

in 1830, 1018 persons; in 1840, 1055 persons; in 
1850, 1130 persons; and in 1860, 1168 persons. 

In 1840, there were three white persons over 
tAventy-one years of age who could neither read 
nor write, and two in the township who were deaf 
and dumb. In 1860, out of the 1168 inhabitants, 
1101 were white and 67 colored; 114 were of 
foreign birth, one was blind, three idiotic, and six 
were paupers. There were but 214 houses, five of 
w^iich were unoccupied. The live stock consisted 
of 321 horses, 8 mules, 2 oxen, 395 cows, 173 sheep, 
and 359 swine. Of the crops raised, there were 
16,063 bushels of wheat, 707 of rye, 28,417 of In- 
dian corn, 27,089 of oats, 15,883 of potatoes, 34 of 
barley, 446 of buckwheat, 82 of clover seed, and 
53 of timothy seed. Of the other products, there 
were 37,885 pounds of butter, 31 pounds of cheese, 
30 gallons of molasses from sorghum, 105 pounds 
of honey, 5 pounds of bees-wax, and 550 pounds of 
wool. 



EVENTS KELATING TO THE WAK OF 1812. 

In the midst of the peace and prosperity which 
had smiled on the land since the dark days of the 
Revolution, the whole country was plunged into a 
war with Great Britain. Although armies were 
necessary then as now, yet few people in either 
township enlisted in their country's cause, prefer- 
ring to remain at their more agreeable vocations 
at home. People in other sections were equally 



BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 127 

unpatriotic ; and the Government found it neces- 
sary to make a requisition upon the States for 
troops. Several in this section were drafted, and 
ordered to report at head-quarters, below Phila- 
delphia. Most of these declined going, and were 
afterward court-martialed, and fined sums varying 
from twenty to one hundred dollars each. Friends' 
discipline not only disapproved of wars, but of all 
connection with them; and members who had been 
drafted could neither go nor pay fines imposed 
upon them in lieu of service. Many, therefore, 
suffered distraints of their property, which was 
taken off and sold to meet the demand; the friends 
of others interfered, paid the demands, and had 
the property returned to the owners. 

As nearly all intercourse with other parts of the 
world was interrupted, many articles in daily use 
became scarce, and the prices high. Sugar was 
sold at thirty-three cents per pound, coffee at forty 
cents, and cotton and woollen goods at almost fab- 
ulous prices. In this state of affairs many ex- 
pedients were suggested, either through motives 
of economy, necessity, or patriotism. Rye coffee 
came into general use, and sugar was almost en- 
tirely disjDensed' with. A short time after the 
commencement of the war the banks stojDped 
specie payment , and soon all kinds of specie, from 
a cent upwards, passed out of circulation. In 
order to supply the want of small change, the 
banks issued notes of less denomination than one 
dollar; and private individuals, in many cases, 
issued small notes, payable in goods or in bank 



128 THE HISTORY OF 

notes. In one instance some schoolboys set a 
number of these bills afloat, and they circulated as 
well as any until their character was discovered. 
The Legislature, at its next session, passed an act 
against issuing this kind of money, and most of 
the notes were called in ; but considerable loss 
was sustained by the holders of them. As the 
whole country was flooded with paper money, 
things seemed to work well, and prices of real 
estate as well as all other things were very high 
This continued for some years after the war ended ; 
so that, in 1816, we learn that wheat sold at $3 
per bushel, corn $1. 25, and oats 75 cents. But a 
reaction soon ensued, when depression followed 
depression, and every article of produce was so 
reduced in value that embarrassment and ruin to 
hundreds was the result. The price of land fell 
nearly one-half, and wheat sold for seventy-five 
cents, corn for thirty, and oats for twenty cents 
per bushel. During the prosperous times, many 
persons who had saved a little money invested it 
in property, paying often less than one-half of the 
purchase price, and giving a mortgage for the re- 
mainder; and others had in various ways con- 
tracted debts, with a fair prospect of being able to 
meet their engagements. But the reaction was 
too great for them, and they were forced to see 
the savings of many years of anxiety and toil 
swept away to satisfy the demands of urgent cred- 
itors, and now, having passed the meridian of 
life, to commence the world anew, without a single 
oent to call their own. But few persons in the 



BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 129 

townships became so reduced as this, yet all felt 
the effect of the change of times, and were to a 
greater or less extent sufferers. In order to ob- 
viate these difficulties, more attention was paid to 
the cultivation and improvement of their farms, 
unnecessary expenses were curtailed, and habits of 
economy became the order of the day, so that, in 
a few years, they were once more in the old chan- 
nels, moving along smoothly and prosperously. 

AGKICULTURE. 

We have already spoken of some of the more 
important improvements in agriculture, previous 
to the close of the Revolution, and now we desire 
briefly to sketch its history since that period. By- 
berry and Moreland are agricultural districts, the 
whole surface being divided into farms of from 
thirty to one hundred acres each, and the popula- 
tion composed almost exclusively of farmers, or 
such mechanics as are necessary in a farming com- 
munity. Such being the case, a short account of 
the agricultural changes is deserving of a place in 
these sketches. 

In 1780 the Hessian fly — that scourge of the 
wheat crop — first made its appearance in the vi- 
cinity. Previous to that time the crop had been 
good, and a failure of it was seldom if ever known ; 
but now the ravages of this destructive insect were 
very great, whole fields were so injured as not to 
be worth harvesting, and many persons enter- 
tained apprehensions that the wheat crop was not 



130 THE HISTORY OF 

to be depended upon again, and they accordingly 
stored vip the crop on hand for future use. The 
rye crop entirely escaped from injury, and it was 
at once substituted for the wheat. It answered a 
very good purpose for bread, but the pies and 
cakes were not so palatable, and the people began 
to look anxiously for a remedy for the evil which 
had befallen them. One was soon found in the 
application of manure, for when that was judi- 
ciously applied an average crop seldom failed, and 
farmers began to gather all the weeds, straw and 
rubbish that could be j^rocured, in order to increase 
the amount of that necessary article. Previous to 
that time, large quantities of buckwheat were 
raised, but the straw was thought to be useless, 
and was, therefore, generally burned in the field. 
In 1786 one farmer had thirty-five acres of it, and 
in the spring following sold the whole lot to Dr. 
Edwards for two dollars, and it was thought to be 
well sold. Several experiments, in the way of 
farming, were tried about this time, and for the 
purpose of comparing notes, an agricultural society 
was started in 1789, and several of the Byberry 
farmers became members. It is said to have done 
considerable good, and many of the most valuable 
changes which took place at this time were owing 
to experiments made by the members of this so- 
ciety. It is still in existence as the Philadelphia 
Agricultural Society. 

Before the application of manure became com- 
mon, the main dependence for hay was upon 
meadow bottoms, or low grounds, along streams. 



BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 131 

Water was frequently carried in ditches along the 
sides of the hills^ and at proper intervals let out to 
irrigate the soil, so that these spots always produced 
heavy crops of hay. No grass-seed was sown, as 
is now done ; but the white clover, which is native 
to the soil, and which will always grow when not 
choked out by other plants, sprung up in the wheat 
fields, and furnished pasture for the next season. 
Meadows were then considered very valuable, and 
were the only parts of the farm which produced 
hay for winter use. In 1791, plaster of Paris (sul- 
phate of lime) was first introduced here as a fertil- 
izer. It was tried on Indian corn, and proved ad- 
vantageous, but on the meadows it was of little 
use. A little red clover had previously been culti- 
vated, and upon this it acted almost like a charm, 
so that the next step was to procure clover-seed, 
and the upland fields were soon luxuriant with its 
growth. Seed was at first very scarce, and was 
bought and sold by the pound, rating at about fifty 
cents. Plaster was sold at $1.10 per bushel; but 
dear as were these articles the application was 
made, and the harvest exceeded all expectations. 
The custom of mowing the upland fields soon after 
this became general, and furnished much better 
hay than had been obtained from the meadows. 
Timothy was soon introduced, and, in time, it and 
clover were mixed together. By this course of 
farming the amount of produce was greatly in- 
creased, and farmers were necessitated to erect 
hay-houses, or enlarge their barns so as to hold all 
their crops. The meadows and low bottoms soon 



132 THE HISTORY OF 

ceased to be considered the most valuable portion 
of the farm, and were either turned into pasture- 
grounds or permitted to grow up with rushes and 
other worthless plants. About the same time lime 
began to be used, and this, together with the plas- 
ter, the timothy and the clover, and the increase 
in the price of all agricultural products, brought 
wealth into the community, and made them more 
prosperous than at any former period. As a result 
of this increase of wealth, there was an improve- 
ment in the farm buildings, and new houses and 
barns of an aj^proved style soon began to occupy 
the places of the old ones. Shortly after this, the 
cultivation of potatoes, as an article of profit, Avas 
commenced. Previously, they had been cultivated 
only for home consumption. The first varieties 
raised were the cut-throats, Sj)anish potatoes and 
lady -fingers ; these were followed by the Thompson 
potatoes, brought from England by Joseph Thomp- 
son, in 1793 ; Scotch grays, blue-skins, fox-eyes and 
mercers — each succeeding one being an improve- 
ment upon its predecessor. This last variety was 
introduced about 1820, and has been very generally 
cultivated ever since — a period of more than forty 
years — and they still retain many of their original 
good qualities. It is said that two hundred bush- 
els per acre was considered an average crop fifty or 
sixty years ago; and that, when properly attend- 
ed, they oftener raised more than less than that 
amount, and as they were never diseased, the crop 
was a profitable one. About the same time broom 
corn began to be raised, and brooms to be manu- 



BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 133 

factured for market. Benjamin Atkinson was the 
first who made it a regular business, and he was 
induced to do so about 1790, through the influence 
of Jamej^impson, a Quaker preacher, then resid- 
ing in the neighborhood. He found it a profitable 
business, and, about 1805, he admitted Bezaleel 
Croasdale as a partner, and they jointly monopo- 
lized the trade until 1816. The brooms were sold 
in Philadelphia, New York, Baltimore, Lancaster, 
and Trenton. The brooms were made round, and 
with a horn on the neck, confined to its place by a 
wooden peg, instead of twine as now; the handle 
was of oak, roughly shaved with a drawing-knife. 
During the war of 1812, the brooms brought 14.20 
per dozen, wholesale, From 1830 to 1840 an aver- 
age of sixty thousand brooms were annually man- 
ufactured in Byberry alone, for the Philadelphia 
market. In 1819, Bezaleel Croasdale made some 
improvements in the manner of manufacture, for 
which he obtained a patent, and carried on the 
business successfully for several years. Charles 
B. Comly was the first person in Byberry who 
made broom handles for sale. For many years the 
annual sales amounted to about 175,000 handles. 
Of later years, broom corn has not been grown so 
extensively, and the sales now do not amount to 
over 75,000 per annum. Oats were raised to a 
very limited extent, and several years elapsed be- 
fore they were considered a profitable crop. Buck- 
wheat was a staple production, and large quanti- 
ties were raised by every farmer j but as the opinion 
of its impoverishing the soil gained ground, its 

12 



134 THE HISTORY OF 

culture decreased, and comparatively little has 
been raised during the last twenty years. There 
■was also much attention paid to the improvement 
of the breed of horses, and the subject was a favor- 
ite topic of conversation among farmers and the 
young men generally. The old-fashioned breed 
was too small — scarcely any being more than four- 
teen hands high — and in many other respects was 
defective; so that a change was deemed needful. 
Horses with more bottom, bone and sinew, were 
wanted; and in order to secure animals of this 
kind, men studied all the important marks of a 
good horse as well as those of a poor one, and a 
full knowledge of the diseases, &c., to which the 
animal was subject, was considered necessary. 
Thomas Simmons, taking advantage of this change 
in opinion, spent a short time in study, and set 
himself up as a horse farrier — the first in the town- 
ships — and soon obtained a good practice. The re- 
sult of all this was a larger and better breed of 
horses, and an improvement in the quality of the 
stock generally. 

While the great changes which we have just narra- 
ted were going on, farmers had become more deeply 
interested in their business; and in order to have 
as much land under cultivation as possible, swamps 
and low grounds were reclaimed, and timber cleared 
off. So much of the latter was sold that many men 
were much concerned for fear the next generation 
would not have sufficient wood for fencing and for 
domestic purposes. To economize, it was proposed 
to plant the Virginia thorn (Crategus cordata) for 



BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 135 

hedges; and Joseph Comly, in particular, took 
much pains to obtain a supply of seed and raise 
the young plants for that purpose. Through his 
efforts many were induced to plant hedges, and for 
several years they answered an excellent purpose; 
but like every other living thing, their period of 
life drew to a close ; and while they were in the 
last stages — which often lasted several years — they 
were worse than useless, and farmers have gener- 
ally grubbed them up and set post-and-rail fences 
in their places. In the year 1816, the Long Island 
hay-rake was introduced, and found to be a labor- 
saving implement. Some years afterward the re- 
volving rake was brought into notice as a great im- 
provement, and has been in general use since. In 
1817, the crop of Indian corn was much injured by 
the gruh ; and as this was believed to be the natu- 
ral consequence of killing off so many of the in- 
sectivorous birds, several persons here entered into 
an agreement to prohibit gunning on their farms, 
which arrangement was enforced for many years, 
although much opposition was manifested on the 
part of some of the gunners. About the year 1820, 
a mowing machine was introduced into Byberry 
by Samuel IS"ewbold ; and soon after this James 
Thornton purchased a similar machine. They 
were drawn by four horses, but did not work well, 
and were soon thrown aside. James Thornton cut 
ten acres of grass in one day with his machine. 
In 1840, another pattern was introduced much bet- 
ter than the first, but it did not answer, and, like 
its predecessor, was soon laid aside. After this we 



136 THE HISTORY OF 

hear no more of mowing machines until the intro- 
duction of Ketchum's patent, in 1850, by James 
Thornton, Jr., since which time they have come 
into general use, and almost every farm is now 
supplied with one of them. In the year 1840 was 
the first appearance of the potato disease here, 
and many farmers that season lost nearly their 
whole crop. Since that time they have been more 
or less affected with the rot ; but as many have of 
late years been planting them much earlier than 
formerly was the custom, they have not suffered 
so much from the disease as they did at first. 
Threshing machines were introduced in 1830, by 
Edward Duffield. Previous to that time all the 
threshing had been done by the flail, and the sound 
of the threshers might be heard in the winter re- 
sounding from almost every barn. At first the 
four and five-horse powers were used, but these 
have generally been laid aside, and their places 
suj^plied by the railroad powers, which combine 
many advantages the others do not possess. The 
farmers of this section generally have kept pace 
with their neighbors in introducing all the modern 
improvements in their vocation -, and their farms 
at the present time are as well stocked with all 
that is necessary to their business, as are those in 
any other section of our country; and as a class 
they probably enjoy as much prosperity and hap- 
piness as usually fall to the lot of mortals. 



BYBEERY AND MORELAND. 137 



ROADS. 

We have but little account of the roads, bridges, 
&c., in Byberry and Moreland, hence our remarks 
must be limited. It is quite probable that the 
Bristol turnpike, as it is now called ; the road lead- 
ing from Byberry Cross-roads to the Eed Lion ; 
what is now the Byberry and Bensalem turnpike, 
and the Bustleton and Somerton turnpike, are the 
oldest, and were laid out prior to the Eevolution. 
Mention is made of the Bristol turnpike road as 
early as 1700. The Bj^berry and Bensalem turn- 
pike road was formerly known as the King's high- 
way, and was the main road leading from Phila- 
delphia to Growden's mansion, now C. W. Taylor's, 
in Bensalem. The owner of the mansion placed 
mile-stones along this road, three of which are still 
standing in Byberry. Jacob Myers said that when 
he came to Byberry sixty years ago, the road lead- 
ing from Byberry Meeting-House to Townsend's 
Mill passed through the woods near Carver's house. 
The present road was laid out soon afterwards. 

Many years since a turnpike was made from the 
Eocks, near Frankford, to Somerton, a distance of 
eight miles ; but owing to imperfect construction 
it became very rough, and was shunned by trav- 
ellers ', hence the company was soon dissolved, and 
the road left in charge of the Supervisors of the 
townships. This continued until 1842, when the 
present company was incorporated. They took 
possession of the road and put it in good condi- 

12* 



138 THE HISTORY OF 

tion, at a cost of $8000 per mile, since whicli time 
it has been much travelled. 

The Byberry and Bensalem turnpike was char- 
tered in March, 1848, and was open for travel in 
1852. It is 5i miles long, and cost $11,442. 

In 1790, the inhabitants of Byberry and South- 
ampton met to decide which part of the county 
line should be mended by each township, when it 
was agreed that Byberry should take the upper 
and Southampton the lower part. 

In 1793, John Swift, Edward Duffield, William 
Walton, and Isaac Comly, met in regard to mend- 
ing the road between Byberry and Moreland, when 
it was agreed that Byberry should mend the lower 
and Moreland the upper part. 

In 1798, supervisors were, for the first time, al- 
lowed a compensation for collecting the road-tax. 

The Byberry and Andalusia turnpike was char- 
tered in 1857. It was covered with gravel to the 
depth of eight inches. It is about two miles long, 
and cost $5000. 

In 1816, a road was laid out between John and 
Evan Townsend's land, extending from a road 
leading to Minktown to the road from Townsend's 
Mill to Mechanicsville. 



POST-OmCES. 

For a long time after the first settlement of the 
townships, the nearest post-office was at Philadel- 
phia f but as the villages of Frankford, Bustleton, 



BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 139 

and Holmesburg grew up into importance, post- 
offices were established there for their conve- 
nience, and the people of Byberry and Moreland 
resorted to them for the little business they had 
through that channel. As Byberry became more 
densely populated and the circulation of newspa- 
pers began to increase, the people felt the want of 
a more convenient post-office, and, in 1826, one 
was established at Byberry Cross-roads, with a 
weekly mail. This ansAvered for a short time ; but, 
in 1832, the office was removed to the store near 
the meeting-house, and a daily mail arrived from 
Andalusia. In 1834, this was changed to a tri- 
weekly mail, and so continued until within a few 
years, since which they have had a daily commu- 
nication by mail with Philadelphia. In the year 
1858 the post-office was removed to Mechanics- 
ville; but as this was very inconvenient to the 
citizens, it was soon removed to the tailor shop 
near the meeting-house, and Jackson Brown ap- 
pointed postmaster. Here it gave general satis- 
faction, and was continued until 1862, when it was 
again taken to the store near by, where it still re- 
mains. The office has at different times been under 
the care of Oliver Parrj^, Cyrus Pierce, Jackson 
Brown, William Penrose, and Eoss M. Knight. It 
is now under the charge of the latter gentleman. 
The mail route was formerly by way of Bustle- 
ton and Somerton, and was for many years car- 
ried by Silas Yanarsdalen. Since that time the 
mail-carriers for Byberry have been Joseph Fell, 
Nathan Webster, Jackson Brown, Charles B. 



140 THE HISTORY OF 

Comly, Peter States, Isaac Knight, and Theodore 
Hawk. It is now brought up by the Philadelphia 
and Trenton Railroad Company to Andalusia, and 
carried to Byberry by the last-named person. The 
amount of mail matter to this office has been grad- 
ually increasing since its first establishment, and 
for the quarter ending June 30th, 1863, was as fol- 
lows : Letters received, 1496 ; sent, 1095 ; new^spa- 
pers received, 4019 ; sent, 40. A daily mail to Som- 
erton was established many years since, and has 
proved a great blessing to the people in that vicin- 
it}^ It reaches the city by way of Bustleton, and 
is carried by George Birkman. For many years 
the postmaster was Benjamin Comly; but it is now 
under the charge of William Hoot. The village 
was formerly called Smithfield ; but when the post- 
office was established it was named Somerton, in 
honor of Judge Sommers, who resided near by. 



OVEKSEEPvS OF THE POOK. 

Byberry and Moreland have always maintained 
their own poor. Previous to 1752 this was done 
entirely by the members of Byberry Monthly 
Meeting, but since that time each township has 
taken care of all except the poor belonging to the 
Society of Friends. At no time since the above 
date have the people been entirely free from per- 
sons depending upon them for support ; some for 
a short time only, while others were for a long 
term of years. Among the latter were a husband 



BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 141 

and wife, both of whom were maintained fifteen 
years ; Timothy Hibbs, an idiot, twenty-six years ; 
one aged widow, thirteen, and another twenty-five 
years; one spinster, Hannah Howard, thirty-three 
years; Eebecca Adams, who died in 1818, at the 
advanced age of ninety years, for several years; 
and Mary, familiarly known as "Old Molly Jer- 
den," nearly sixty years. These were all in By- 
berry. In Moreland, there was Susan Quee,* for 
about fifty years; "Black Hannah," for several 
years, who died about 1857, aged nearly one hun- 
dred. The first Overseer of the Poor in Byberry 
was John Worthington, elected in 1752, to serve 
one year. In 1753, Job Walton and Richard Wal- 
ton were chosen to perform the duties of that 
thankless but necessary oflice. Since that time 
two persons have annually been elected in each 
township, and a regular account of their expendi- 
tures, &c., in Byberry, has been preserved in the 
township book. The accounts in Moreland we 
have not been able to obtain. From these books 
we find that from 1761 to 1809 the average annual 
amount of poor-tax was $143 — the least being in 
1776, when it was only $10. Since 1809 the largest 
amount spent in any one year was in 1851, when 
$998.50 were required. In 1860, six persons only 
were supported by the townships. This account 
does not include the poor belonging to the Society 
of Friends ; for we find the Meeting has paid $100 
per annum, on an average, for the su2:)port of its 

* I believe still living. 



142 THE HISTORY OP 

poor since 1761. When Lower Dublin created tbeir 
poor-house many persons wanted Byberry and 
Moreland to join with them ; but the latter town- 
ships preferred to maintain their own poor by 
boarding them in the neighborhood. It is the 
duty of the Overseers to provide the necessaries of 
life to all who are unable to procure them, and not 
let any suffer; and to lay and collect an annual 
tax to pay all debts thus contracted. It is proba- 
ble the poor are better and more comfortably pro- 
vided for than where poor-houses have been erected 
in which to give them quarters. 



BTBEKKY LIBKARY. 

After peace was declared between Great Britain 
and the American Colonies, and wars and rumors 
of wars had died away, the people i'n the vicinity 
of Byberry began to turn their minds more and 
more to educational matters. The schools were 
much improved, and a taste for general reading 
created in the community. Books of all kinds 
were expensive, and few persons at that time pos- 
sessed much of a library. In order to make up 
this deficiency, and to furnish each other with 
reading matter, it was proposed by John Comly, 
Ezra Townsend, Thomas Townsend, Benjamin 
Walmsley, Asa \Yalmsley, and James Walton, to 
establish a circulating library. After considerable 
discussion, and not a little opposition on the part 
of some of the women Friends, the constitution 



BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 143 

of the Byberry Library Company was adopted, 
12th mo. 29, 1794. A clause in the constitution 
"prohibited the introduction of all atheistical or 
deistical works, all novels, plays or romances, and 
every other book that has an immoral tendency, 
or that is prejudicial to the Christian religion." 

For this reason the Library now contains a bet- 
ter selection of useful volumes than is usually 
found in such places. The constitution was signed 
by twenty-three persons, some of whom resided in 
Moreland and Bensalem, and each paid in the sum 
of $4, the most of which was used in purchasing 
books ; so that when the Library was opened it 
contained about seventy volumes, exclusive of sev- 
eral loaned by the members. It was first placed 
at the house of Ezra Townsend; but in 1798 was 
removed to Byberry School-house, where it re- 
mained until 1816. It was then taken to Cilbert's 
store, while the Library Company were fitting up 
a suitable room for it in the school-house, whither 
it was removed in 1818. When the new school- 
house was built, in 1823, a room was finished ex- 
pressly for the Library, and it has remained there 
ever since. 

The books are arranged according to their size, 
whether quarto, octavo, or duodecimo, and mem- 
bers are permitted to keep them out from one to 
eight weeks, varying with the size and contents of 
the volume. Members have access to the Library 
at all times; but they can take out only two vol- 
umes at a time, and these must be returned before 
othera can be had. The members pay an annual 



144 THE HISTORY OP 

tax, usually about $1 each, to defray the expenses 
of the Company and procure new books. Those 
owning shares in the Library now number about 
forty; and the annual tax, together with the fines 
received for keeping books out beyond their time, 
amounts to over $50, so that probably about thirty 
volumes are annually added to the collection. This 
library is one of the best to be found outside of the 
city, and now contains over two thousand volumes, 
which treat principally of religious, historical, or 
scientific subjects, and afi'ords an excellent oppor- 
tunity for all to acquire much valuable and useful 
information. The price of the stock has been 
raised to $6 per share, and new shares are from 
time to time created, to meet the wants of the 
people. 

This library has been of great value to the neigh- 
borhood, and much of the information diff'used 
among the citizens of the place is attributable to 
this source. Many of the young people avail 
themselves of this Opportunity for reading; and 
many of them, along with the writer of this, have 
had occasion to feel thankful to those liberal- 
minded persons who originated and bequeathed to 
us this invaluable legacy. 

BURIAL-PLACES. 

The proper interment of the dead has always 
been felt to be a solemn duty devolving upon every 
Christian, and places suitable for the deposit of 
the bodies of those who had served out their 



BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 145 

earthly pilgrimage early claimed the attention of 
the people, and lots were set apart by our fore- 
fathers for this purj)Ose. Among the first of these 
was a lot of one acre, which was bequeathed, May 
30th, 1786, to Byberry township, by John Hart, 
grandson of the ancient John Hart, as a burial- 
place for the poor of the vicinity forever. This is 
still the township burial-ground, in which, at long 
intervals, some unfortunate mortal whose life had 
probably been imbittered by the strange vicissi- 
tudes of fortune is laid in the narrow grave, with- 
out so much as a friend to shed a sympathizing 
tear. It is located in the lower end of the town- 
ship, near the Eed Lion Hotel, and from the num- 
ber of persons annually placed therein, will serve 
the township as a burial-place for at least another 
century. 

This might indeed be made a beautiful resting- 
place for the dead, but for many years there has 
been little care taken of it, and brambles, weeds, 
and small cedars cover the ground, giving it a for- 
lorn and repulsive appearance, strangely contrast- 
ing with the far more attractive spots of the kind 
around Philadelphia. The last burial I recollect 
at this yard was that of a friendless old man who 
was taken sick near Knightsville, in Moreland, 
and found his way to a neighboring barn, where 
he soon afterwards died. No one knew him; and 
his name, as well as his history, has remained un- 
known to us to the present time. A single one- 
horse market wagon composed the procession, and 
two men beside the driver, were all that followed 

13 



146 THE HISTORY OF 

the mortal remains of the deceased stranger to 
this "Potter's Field," where it has since reposed 
undisturbed by the bickering world around it. As 
I surveyed this procession I thought how sad is 
the life of the pauper, for he is grudgingly cared 
for while living, and when about to be buried, 

"They rattle his bones over the stones, 
Because he's a pauper whom nobody owns." 

The graveyard for colored persons, previously 
mentioned as being situated in the eastern part of 
Byberry, is still kept for that purpose. Some 
years since a portion of this yard was plowed up, 
and most of the "little mounds" were levelled 
with the earth around, so that the exact spot 
where many of this race were buried can no longer 
be seen. What a pity that man should ever be 
willing to disturb the resting-places of the dead in 
order to add to his coffers ! Of late years more 
care has been taken of this place, and it is now 
kept in good order by Byberry Meeting. 

There was, also, a burying-place for slaves on 
William Till^^er's farm, in Moreland, which was 
continued until within the last twenty years. The 
lane leading to the dwelling-house then went in 
opposite to the school-house, and made a sharp 
turn about two hundred yards from the road to 
get to the house. At this bend the graveyard 
was located. It was a small triangular lot, and 
had been used as a burial-place for many years. 
Jacob Saurman informs me that it had a Swede 
fence around it when first recollected by him, but 



BYBERRY AND MO R ELAND. 147 

that in later times it was left open, and as it was 
overgrown with grass, weeds, and briers, the cattle 
of the farm were permitted to roam over it at 
pleasure. He remembers that two colored persons 
were buried there, one of them while he was Over- 
seer of the Poor in Moreland. About a dozen 
graves were then visible, and the place remained in 
this condition until the death of William Tillyer, 
when the route of the old lane was changed, and 
the " old graveyard " was destroyed, so that not a 
vestige of it now remains to mark the last resting- 
place of the ancient dead. Connected with its 
history is the following: On one occasion a black 
dog in the neighborhood died, and the children at- 
tending Tillyer's school, on account of the color of 
the animal, obtained the body and made prepara- 
tion for its burial in that yard. Twelve o'clock 
(noon) was the appointed hour; and punctually at 
that time the pupils, young and old met, and, form- 
ing themselves into a procession, solemnly followed 
the remains, borne by two pall-bearers and accom- 
panied by a chaplain, to their " final resting-place," 
where they were decently interred and a eulogy 
pronounced on the good qualities of faithful old 
Tray, after which they returned to their usual 
pastimes at the school. 

The "old graveyard" belonging to Byberry 
Meeting, and of which we have frequently made 
mention in this history, contains one acre of ground, 
and is situated in front of the meeting-house, about 
fifty yards distant. It is surrounded by a stone 
wall about four feet high, and has two entrances 



148 THE HISTORY OF 

on the eastern side. It has been full for many- 
years, and the last of tbose buried there were 
Margery Knight, 1st mo. 27, 1841, aged eighty- 
three years, and Elizabeth Townsend, 7th mo. 7, 
1841, aged seventy-five years. Among those first 
interred were two Indian squaws, in 1692, and 
whose graves are under tbe large cedar tree* near 
the centre of the yard, where they have slept for 
nearly two centuries. 

A graveyard should always be the most inviting 
and lovely spot on eartb, for as we all love the 
beautiful while living, it is a pleasing thought that 
when our journey through life is over, we shall be 
laid amid the pleasant scenes we love so Avell. It 
is said of Alexander Wilson, that his last wish was 
to be "laid beneath a shady tree where the song- 
sters that charmed him while livins; mio-ht come 
and sing around his tomb !'^ And poor John Fitch, 
the great American mechanic and inventor of the 
steamboat, prayed that he might be buried on the 
banks of the Ohio Eiver, so that he' would be near 
the many steamboats which his hopeful spirit led 
him to believe would one day glide u]) and down 
that stream ! A cemetery should, therefore, be the 
type of our thoughts and our religion, and in this 
respect the old graveyard, with its quiet air and 
its absence of gorgeous tombs and other memorials 
of the dead, is highly characteristic of the people 

* This tree was planted by Joseph Gilbert at the head of his 
wife's grave, about 1760. Isaac Comly, who died in 1823, aged 
fourscore years, recollected seeing him come there to water it. 
Isaac at that time was a small boy going to school. 



BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 149 

who now slumber within its walls. In ancient 
times they rarely marked the spots where their 
families were buried, but within a few years many 
have been careful to have headstones placed at the 
graves of their families and friends, and in this re- 
spect the new gravej^ard differs from the old one. 
The absence of these little memorials in the latter 
makes it far less interesting to the present genera- 
tion who may wish to spend an hour 

' ' Where the rude forefathers of our township sleep. ' ' 

Yery few stones, indeed, are found in the yard, 
and only about fifteen of them have dates to tell 
us when those who lie beneath paid the debt of na- 
ture. Two of these have the names in full, while 
all the rest have the initials only. But one marble 
stone is in the yard, and that is less than one foot 
high. After some difficulty in deciphering the in- 
itials and figures on the stones — for they were cov- 
ered with moss and lichens — and in making refer- 
ence to some notes, we learned that the following 
persons had been interred there previous to the be- 
ginning of the present century : Jonathan Knight, 
son of the first Giles and his wife Jane, in 1745 ; 
Thomas Knight, brother to Jonathan, 1774; Joseph 
Knight, another brother, 1762, aged eighty-two 
years, and his wife Abigail, 1764, at same age; 
Giles Knight, son of Joseph, 1799, and his wife 
Elizabeth, 1766; and Samuel Scott, 1761. 

But little care is taken of this yard, and tall 
briers and rank grass are permitted to grow and 
cover the whole surface so as nearly to obliterate 

13* 



150 THE HISTORY OF 

the little mounds and hollows beneath. Most of 
the graves have sunk so that it is difficult to tell 
where they are, and the wild Indian or wood-grass 
has become so firmly rooted that not a single wild 
flower can unfold its beautiful petals there. In one 
corner of the yard a family of elders have taken 
quiet possession, to the exclusion of everything 
else. Scattered here and there over the whole 
surface are a few small cedars, and in the centre 
stands a large tree of the same species, whose 
trunk has been scarred by the thunderbolts of 
heaven, and through whose top the wintry winds 
moan sadly : 

" For it is ever sad when others' grief is fled, 
And still remains the constant mourner of the dead." 

'No walks have ever been laid out in this yard, 
and the visitor to this full-tenanted resting-place 
of the long-since dead must make his way as best 
he can among the little mounds. This j^ard con- 
tains nearly all of our early ancestors, and it has 
been estimated that not less than four thousand 
sleep beneath its sod. When it was nearly filled, an- 
other lot of about one acre, a little to the south of the 
meeting-house, was purchased from the property 
now owned by Eobert Purvis. The first persons 
buried there were in February, 1832, scarcely one- 
third of a century ago, yet it is now more than 
half filled, and contains not less than two thousand 
graves. Margery Walmsley was the first one bu- 
ried there, and she was followed in a few days by 
Joseph Carver. It was for several years the only 



BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 151 

burial-place in either township, and was used by 
nearly the whole neighborhood, whether Friends 
or not. It is beautifully situated, and forms an 
appropriate resting-place for departed friends ; and 
around it are a number of trees, 

** Which make a lone and silent shade, 

Where none but reverent footsteps tread j 
Where many friends are calmly laid 
To sleep the slumbers of the dead. 

" Oh ! sadly sighs the evening breeze, 
As it sweeps o'er the lonely place, 
And sadly droop the murm'ring trees 

As tho' they mourned the slumb'ring race." 

The sextons at Byberry graveyard have been 
Benjamin Atkinson, 1793 to 1796 ; T. Simmons, 
1796 to 1797; Griffith Street, 1797 to 1819, then re- 
moved to Ohio; Watson Atkinson, for about one 
year ; James Jenks, from 1820 to 1850; and William 
Forrest since that time. 

After the Methodists became more numerous 
and built their church in Somerton, the question 
of having a churchyard attached occupied the at- 
tention of the people ; but after some years spent 
in considering the matter, it was finally agreed to 
form an association, and to purchase ten acres of 
land near the village for a cemetery. A very ap- 
propriate spot was seleeted to the east of the vil- 
lage, and the grounds were neatly graded, the walks 
laid out, and it fitted up for the purpose. Many of 
those in the vicinity have purchased lots there, and 
a large number have already been buried in the 
place. The ground is called the William Penn 



152 THE HISTORY OF 

Cemetery, and was opened in 1855. The first in- 
terment there was Thomas Dyer's child, 11 mo., 
7, of that year, since which time it has been grow- 
ing more and more in favor with the j^eople. It is 
situated just out of the village, and the serenity 
and quiet beauty of the spot 

" Affords a calm for those who weep, 
A rest to weary pilgrims given, 
Where they may softly lie and sweetly sleep 
Beneath the vault of Heaven." 



PHILOSOPHICAL SOCIETY. 

The minds of many of the Byberry people seem 
to have taken quite a literary and scientific turn in 
the early part of the nineteenth century. They 
had been educated by such men as Watson Atkin- 
son and John Comly, who had taken great pains 
to impress their minds with a proper estimate of 
the value of scientific and literary knowledge to 
all persons, whatever their walk in life might be. 
They comprehended the broad bearing of the sci- 
ences upon their social callings, and had made good 
use of the valuable but small library just started 
in their midst, during the long winter evenings, 
when, released from their daily toils, they gathered 
round the social board; but this did not satisfy 
them, and some of the more enthusiastic conceived 
the idea of forming a society having for its object 
the diifusion of scientific knowledge. While this 
matter was being discussed, Joshua IToopes, of 
West Chester, through the invitation of some per- 



BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 153 

sons in the neighborhood, proposed giving a course 
of twelve lectures on Astronomy. A class of thirty 
members were soon obtained at two dollars each, 
and the lectures were delivered in Byberry School- 
house. At the close of these lectures Dr. Isaac 
Comly proposed " that an association be formed 
for the purpose of delivering lectures on scientific 
subjects." After some further conference on the 
matter, a constitution was adopted Tenth month 
26, 1829, the preamble of which states that the 
''Society is for the acquisition and promotion of 
scientific knowledge," and is to be designated " The 
B^^berry Philosophical Society." The meetings 
were held weekly during the winter season-, when 
some one of the members usually delivered a lec- 
ture to the Society. The first course was upon 
Natural Philosophy, and it appears to have been 
very popular, for the meetings were regularly at- 
tended by many who were not members. These 
proceedings continued until Twelfth month, 1832, 
when the constitution was so altered that the So- 
ciety could form a cabinet of natural curiosities, 
and the work of collection commenced at once. 
The cabinet was at first placed in a room belong- 
ing to Isaac Comly, where it remained until 1834. 
It was then removed to James Thornton's house, 
and afterwards to a school-house in the neighbor- 
hood, where it remained until 1840, when the So- 
ciety erected a convenient building for it near the 
Meeting-house, and removed it thereto. Lectures 
have at different times been delivered in the Soci- 
ety's room, and when these were not going on, 



154 THE HISTORY OF 

conversational meetings were frequently held by 
the members. From 1854 to 1860, popular lectures 
were delivered at '^Byberry Hall/' under the aus- 
pices of the Society, and were well attended by 
members and others. Considerable interest was 
manifested when the cabinet was first started, and 
ever^^thing of interest that could be found was 
collected and neatly labelled, then placed in the col- 
lection. Grreat pains were taken to procure and 
stuff all the birds found in the vicinity ; many curi- 
osities were also obtained from various sources; 
and the science of mineralogy, in particular, re- 
ceived the close attention of many of the members, 
so that in a short time the collection became quite 
valuable, and annual contributions were rendering 
it still more so. But as the originators of it either 
left the neighborhood or were removed by death, 
a lukewarmness sprung up, and as the younger 
members care but little about the matter, nothing 
has been added to the museum for several years. 
The specimens have been left uncared for until 
many of them are entirely spoiled ; and unless some 
of the young members give it a little attention, the 
whole collection will soon be worthless. The speci- 
mens number about two thousand, and they should 
be the pride of every one who is in the least inter- 
ested in the works of nature. 

ADELPHIAN SOCIETY. 

In the latter part of 1799, a number of the 
younger portion of the community met and formed 



BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 155 

a literary society, to be called ''The Adclphian 
Society," the object of which was the " promotion 
of useful knowledge among the members." Ora- 
tions were frequently delivered by the members, 
and discussions upon various subjects often en- 
gaged the attention of the association. Much in- 
terest was manifested in it, particularly by the 
young, and many of the written essays read at 
these meetiugs have since been published, and re- 
flect no discredit on their authors. After a time 
the interest at first manifested began to wane, and 
at the end of two years it was discontinued, yet it 
w^as undoubtedly productive of much good to those 
who took a part in its proceedings. 

DISTINGUISHED CITIZENS. 

Although Byberry and Moreland have but a 
limited territorial area, yet they have become 
somewhat renowned in history for having been the 
birth-place and residence of some of our most dis- 
tinguished men. In early times, Benjamin Gilbert, 
a polemic writer of considerable note resided here. 
Since then William Cooper, afterwards a member 
of Congress, and father of the distinguished nov- 
elist, J. Fennimore Cooper; Dr. Enoch Edwards, 
an officer in the army of the Eevolution, and sub- 
sequently a Judge in the Court of Common Pleas 
for the City and County of Philadelphia ; and 
Dr. Walmsley, a prominent medical and scientific 
man — have all dwelt within the limits of the town- 
ship. The gallant Decatur, and his father. Captain 



156 THE HISTORY OP 

Decatur, with his family, were residents for several 
years previous to 1798, when President Adams 
called them into the service of our country. By- 
berry can also boast of having given birth to Dr. 
Benjamin Kush and his brother, the Hon. Judge 
Eush, both of whom are too well known to need 
any encomium here. The house in which they 
were born is still standing on the farm now owned 
by Eeuben Parry. They were both much attached 
to their place of nativity, and frequently visited 
it during the latter part of their lives. Besides 
these was Edward Duffield, of Moreland, who was 
noted for the high position he held among scientific 
men. 

AUTHOPvS. 

Several of the people of this district have at dif- 
ferent times given their thoughts to the world in 
the form of lectures, essays, addresses, poetical ef- 
fusions, and elaborate works upon various subjects. 
It is not our intention to narrate all these ; but we 
shall mention only a few of the most prominent 
ones. Some of these works still survive their 
authors, while others have passed into oblivion, 
along with the ephemeral literature of their day. 
Of the merits of these productions we are unable 
to speak, having met with but few of them; but 
many are highly spoken of by contemj)orary writ- 
ers, and others have stood the test of time, and 
are still acknowledged as among the best works on 
the subjects of which they treat. 



BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 157 

The first of these, of which we have any account, 
was John Hart, who, in conjunction with Thomas 
Budd, published an " Essay on the Subject of 
Oaths," in 1692. 

Benjamin Gilbert published " Truth Defended,'' 
1748; "Discourses on Perfection," 1769; and 
" Further Discourses on Sin, Election, Eeproba- 
tion and Baptism," 1770. 

Dr. Edwards published " A Charge to the Grand 
Jury," and " An Essay on Agriculture," in the 
"American Museum," 1788. 

Edward Duffield, " Some Observations on the 
Application of Plaster of Paris," 1797. 

James Thornton, preacher, left a memorandum 
of his Life and Travels, which was published in 
"Friends' Miscellany." 

Peter Yarnall, M.D., left a "Journal of his Life 
and Ministry," portions of which have been pub- 
lished in " Friends' Miscellany." 

John Townsend published an " Essay on Edu- 
cation," and " Some Observations on the Minis- 
try," in the same work. 

Grace Townsend wrote several j^oetical essays 
which, evinced considerable talent, but were not 
published. 

Dr. Walmsley published " An Essay on the Ab- 
sorption of Medicine," 1803, and, subsequently, 
several other medical papers in " Barton's Jour- 
nal." 

William M. Walmsley, " An Account of tte 
Wheat Moth," in " Barton's Journal," 1804. 

14 



158 THE HISTORY OF 

William Walton, the original narrative of "The 
Captivity and Sufferings of the Gilbert Family." 

Joshua Gilbert, several excellent essays, signed 
a " County Friend," in the " Advocate of Truth," 
about 1827. 

Warder Cresson, " An Address to the Select 
Members of Abington Quarterly Meeting," 1827 ; 
''Babylon the Great is Falling," 1830; "Jerusa- 
lem, the Centre and Joy of the Whole Earth," 
1844. 

John Comly, one of the most gifted of Byberry 
authors, published, among other things, English 
Grammar, 1808; Spelling Book, 1806; Primer, 
1807; Sermons, 1827; Epistle to Friends, 1832; 
Spelling and Eeading Book, 1842 ; Book of Useful 
Knowledge, 1844; and, with his brother Isaac, 
edited and published "Friends' Miscellany," in 
monthly numbers, twelve volumes, from 1831 to 
1839. 

Isaac Comly published several " Sketches of By- 
berry ;" also, " Easy Lessons for Juvenile Head- 
ers," 1807; " Philadelphia Primer," 1808; and "A 
New Assistant," 1809. 

DISEASES. 

The early part of the year 1793 was somewhat 
remarkable on account of the prevalence of typhus 
fever in both townships. It was a dangerous form 
of the disease, and many who were attacked died. 
In the latter part of the same su.mmer the yellow 
fever prevailed in Philadelphia, and many persons 



BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 159 

removed to the country to remain until the clanger 
had passed. There was scarcely a house in either 
township which had not some boarders from the 
city. One of these died of the fever at John Gil- 
bert's, and was buried on his farm without even 
so much as a coffin. The neighborhood was a sec- 
ond time visited by the typhus fever, in the sum- 
mer of 1813, and many persons were afflicted with 
the disease ; but from the skilful treatment pur- 
sued by Dr. "Worthington, of Moreland, then the 
principal physician, very few died. A dangerous 
form of dysentery prevailed here in 1819 and 1820, 
and several persons died, one of whom, Ezra Town- 
send, was a valuable citizen, and his loss was much 
felt in the community. In 1849, the cholera broke 
out and caused great consternation among the 
people. Many were attacked by it, and a few died. 
Bachel, daughter of James Knight, was attacked 
while in Byberry Meeting, July 15th, and could 
not be removed to her home. She died there, July 
20th, and was interred in the new graveyard. Da- 
ring that summer nine cases of cholera occurred 
in Somerton, four of which proved fatal. 

Intermittent and bilious fevers were common 
many years ago, but since the forests have been 
cleared off, the lowlands drained, and the soil gen- 
erally cultivated, these diseases have nearly disap- 
peared. The townships, however, have always 
been remarkably healthy, and the inhabitants 
have enjoyed as long and as happy lives as the 
people in any other section of the country. 



160 THE HISTORY OP 



MILLS. 



At the present time there are six mills within 
the limits of Byberry township, two of which have 
saw-mills attached. Five of these mills are located 
on the Poquessing Creek, and one near the centre 
of the township, on the Byberry Creek. This lat- 
ter mill is now known as Comly's Mill, and is owned 
by Charles B. Comly, one of the most enterprising 
citizens of Byberry. The first mill at this place 
was built by Benjamin Gilbert^ in 1759. It was a 
small structure, and probably remained standing 
until it was purchased by Eobert Phillips, in 1837. 
Previous to this time it had been in the possession 
of Ephraim Howell and Amos Hillborn. In 1838, 
Eobert Phillips erected the j)resent building. It is 
a convenient mill, and has an eighteen-foot over- 
shot wheel, with four run of stones. In the year 
1816 this property was again sold, and John Com- 
ly, Sr., became its owner. In 1850, at his death, it 
passed into the hands of his son, Charles B. Comly. 
The stream upon which it is located is rather 
small, and during the dry weather of summer does 
not furnish sufficient power to run the mill. In 
order to obviate this difficulty, in the summer of 
1855 an addition was built to the mill, and a steam 
engine of twenty horse-power placed therein, and 
so arranged as to be used when there was a scarcity 
of water. Since that time the business at this mill 
has been much increased, and now does more work 
than any other mill in the township. In 1857 many 
of the farmers had begun to raise sugar-cane 



BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 161 

(sorghum saccharatum), and in or'cler to accommo- 
date them wooden rollers for crushing the cane 
were attached to this mill. After the cane was 
crushed the owners took the juice home, and boiled 
it down in their kitchens ; but the result was so 
unfavorable that they became discouraged, and no 
more was raised for several years. In the spring 
of 1863, John Comly, who now has charge of the 
mill, became interested in this matter, and distrib- 
uted sugar-cane seed to the farmers in the vicinity, 
at the same time offering to put up suitable ma- 
chinery for manufacturing the syrup, &c. This 
machinery consisted of a heavy iron crusher, with 
three rollers, and a furnace over which is a copper 
evaporator twelve feet long and four feet wide. In 
the autumn of that year these works were put in 
operation, and eight hundred gallons of syrup and 
fifty pounds of crystallized sugar were made that 
season. This was the first sugar made from sugar- 
cane in either township. In 1864 the amount of 
syrup made at this place was 5500 gallons. The 
steam engine at this place is the only one in use in 
the townships, and judging from appearances it 
has been a profitable investment. 

The mill in the northern part of Byberry, on the 
Poquessing Creek, known as Carter's Mill, was 
built by James Carter, Esq., in 1838. It is run en- 
tirely by the stream on which it is located, and is 
now occupied by Elmer Carter. A saw-mill is at- 
tached to it; and at both it and the flour-mill con- 
siderable business is done. In 1864, machinery for 

14* 



162 THE HISTORY OP 

crushing sugar-cane and making syrup was ob- 
tained, and is now in successful operation. 

The next mill below this, on the same stream, is 
known as Townsend's Mill. From information 
obtained through Mahlon Carver, a descendant of 
the first John Carver, and much interested in the 
ancient affairs of the township, the first mill at this 
place was built by Lawrence Growden. It was on 
the Bensalcm side of the Poquessing, about three 
hundred yards above the site of the present one. 
In order to obtain water-power for this mill, a 
small dam was constructed on the Poquessing, op- 
posite to the farm now occupied by Edwin Tom- 
linson. From this dam the water passed through 
a race over a mile in length before it reached the 
mill. 'No traces of either the dam or the old race 
now remain. The present mill on the Byberry 
side is fed from a dam about two hundred and fifty 
yards up the stream. This was for many years in 
the possession of the Townsend family, and was 
sold about 1845. It has since been owned by Ed- 
win Knight, Jesse James and Levis Levis. About 
one mile below this mill, at Mechanicsville, a saw- 
mill was built by Evan Townsend in 1791. For 
many years it was used as a saw-mill only, and 
part of the time owned by William Bennett, who 
carried on an extensive business there. After Noah 
ShuU purchased it, a hominy mill was attached, 
and some of the farmers raised white corn, ex- 
pressly for making hominy. The present owner, 
Charles Buckman, has attached a mill for grinding 
feed. Farther down the stream, about one and a 



BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 163 

half miles, is Gordon's Mill, built by John Hill- 
born, in 1825. For several years this was owned 
by John Gordon, but since his death has passed 
into other hands. Ephraim Howell said that the 
first season he lived at what is now called Gor- 
don's Mill, the dam broke. It had no waste-place 
originally, except at the east corner. He erected 
a framework there, but in the morning after its 
completion he was surprised to find that the water 
had forced a passage through it, and the dam was 
nearly empty. Plent}^ of fish were caught in what 
was left, and he found the track of an animal in 
the mud supposed to be that of an otter. He then 
dug stone and got Jesse James to build the present 
stone-work of the breast of the dam, about 1776. 
The only mill not yet mentioned is on the same 
creek, in the southern end of the township. It was 
long owned by Samuel Smedley, and often goes by 
the name of Smedley's Mill. It is now owned by 
Jonathan Knight, and is conveniently located for 
doing business. Being located on the Poquessing, 
within two miles of its mouth, its wheels are sel- 
dom still from want of water. It is probably the 
oldest mill site in the townships, but we have been 
unable to find any account either of the time when 
a mill was first erected there, or of its subsequent 
history. 

NEW COUNTY. 

The people in the rural parts of the city have, 
for many years, desired to be separated from the 



164 THE HISTORY OF 

built-np portions, and various attempts have been 
made to accomj^lish that end. In 1812 it was pro- 
posed to make a new county from portions of Phil- 
adelphia, Montgomery and Bucks counties, and the 
Legislature petitioned to that effect ; but it was a 
failure. In 1841 the project was revived with some 
hope of success ; but the Legislature thought pro- 
per not to grant their request. In 1856, soon after 
the Consolidation Act went into operation, a third 
attempt at separation was made, and nearly every 
person exerted himself to obtain what all so much 
wished. Many meetings were held, and delega- 
tions sent to Harrisburg ; but all without avail. 
The people of the townships are too valuable not 
to be citizens of a great city like Philadelphia, and 
therefore the representatives of the people con- 
cluded that it w^ould, for the interest and welfare 
of said inhabitants, be best for them to remain 
connected with the "largest city in the world;" 
and " Penn County," with all its advantages, lives 
only in the wishes of the people. 



KEMAEKABLE OCCUKKENCES, ETC. 

In the autumn of 1812, a violent hurricane passed 
across the townships, and did much damage. The 
roof of the academy at Bustleton was blown off; 
Jacob Wilson's barn, in Bj^berr}^, was blown to 
pieces; Joseph Knight's wagon-house was over- 
turned, and a part of Thomas Gilbert's house un- 
roofed; fences were blown down, trees uprooted or 



BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 165 

snapped off a few feet from the ground, and orchards 
nearly destroyed. In 1820 and '21 similar storms 
visited the townships, and did equally as much 
damage. On the 2d of April, 1841, a very violent 
storm occurred about sunset. It unroofed Asa 
"Walmsley's barn, destroyed a threshing-machine 
house for Charles Martindale, moved two long 
rows of sheds at the meeting-house, and blew over 
several trees in different parts of the townships. 
On the 12th of the same month snow fell all day 
and part of the night, and was on an average about 
twelve inches deep. 

Since 1841 the townships have been visited by 
several hurricanes, which have done much damage 
by uprooting trees, &c. 

A remarkable instance of the sagacity of a dog 
is mentioned as occurring in 1820. Jesse Knight 
removed with his family from Byberry to Zanes- 
ville, Ohio, and took his dog with him. After ar- 
riving at his destination, the dog was very uneasy, 
and appeared dissatisfied with his new home. Ac- 
cordingly, he took " French leave," and started for 
his old friends and comrades in Bj^berry, where he 
arrived in due time, having travelled more than 
four hundred miles, and crossed several large 
streams of water in his journey. He was very 
tired and quite thin when he reached his old quar- 
ters, but in other respects he was none the worse 
for his long journey. 



166 THE HISTORY OP 



LAKGE TEEES. 



Among the large trees in Byberry and Moreland 
we find mention of a large chestnut tree on the 
farm of the late Franklin Comly, Esq. It was 
twenty-seven feet in circumference. It was struck 
by lightning and killed, after which it was cut 
down by Isaac Krewson. 

A very large willow tree was blown over on 
Jabez Wilson's house, April 2, 1841; and during 
the same year a large white oak, about eleven feet 
in diameter, was cut down. It stood between the 
house and the creek, and made over seventeen 
cords of wood. 

A very old pear tree on Watson Comly's farm 
was cut down in the year 1854. It was nine feet 
nine inches in circumference, fifty feet in height, 
and made over three cords of wood. It was over 
one hundred years of age, and produced fruit until 
it was cut down. 

A large chestnut tree, six feet in diameter, on 
John Carver's farm, was cut down by Watson 
Comly in 1855. It made ten cords of wood and 
one hundred and eighty posts. 

The largest tree of any kind in the townships 
was, without doubt, the "old elm" which jtood in 
front of John Carver's house, and about one hun- 
dred yards distant. It was, on account of its great 
size, a curiosity, and sojourning strangers often 
went to view its gigantic form. It stood alone in 
all its majesty away from surrounding trees, and 



BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 167 

was a noble specimen of that noble species now so 
seldom seen around our dwellings. It measured 
twenty-five feet in circumference, was forty feet 
up to its branches, and its topmost limbs were one 
hundred and ten feet high. How long it had stood 
none could tell ; but for several years previous to 
its destruction it had been gradually decaying. In 
the autumn of 1856, the " old elm" took fire from 
some burning brush, and, being dry, it burned so 
rapidl}^ that it fell the next day. The limbs burned 
for three days, and were finally extinguished by a 
shower of rain ; but the roots burned for over one 
week. Mahlon Carver states that the tree made 
twenty-five cords of wood. For many a long year 
the branches of this venerable old elm were waved 
by the passing breeze, and beneath its shade thou- 
sands of human beings stood to view its gigantic 
form ; but the old tree — -a connecting link between 
the present and the long-since past — has, like a 
mighty monarch, fallen. 

" Then hail to that elm ! that brave old elm I 
Our last lone forest tree, 
Whose limbs outstood the lightning's brand, 
For a brave old elm was he I 

"For seven score of full-told years 
He bore his leafy prime, 
And like a relic of the past 
He told of the olden time. 

"But the raging fire felled his giant form, 
And we ne'er shall see him more j 
So here is a tear to the memory 
Of the elm before the door." 



168 THE HISTORY OF 

A large poplar tree formerly stood on Nicholas 
Helverson's, now James Tomlinson's farm. It 
was 130 feet high, 50 feet up to the lowest limb, 
and 16 feet in circumference near the ground. It 
was cut down by Silas Eoads, and sawed ujp for 
bedsteads. It stood near Jacob Saurman's line 
some distance back from the turnpike. 

A very tall hickory tree grew in Jacob Saur- 
man's woods. It was 120 feet high, and when cut 
down made over four cords of wood. 

On John Carver's, now Colonel Burling's farm 
are two pear trees, still standing, which were 
brought over from England by the first John Car- 
ver in 1682, and are consequently over 174 years 
old. One of them is still alive and bears fruit. 

On the late Alfred Worthington's farm stands a 
chestnut tree that measures 28 feet in circumfer- 
ence. It is still in full vigor, and probably the 
largest tree now standing in either township. 

BIG WOMAN. 

Although the people of Byberry are generally 
shrewd, and by no means can be called "green,'' 
yet some of ye ancient ones were led into snares, 
and listened to the "lo here's '^ and "lo there's.'^ 
Several ludicrous accounts of their gullibility have 
been preserved, one of which, we think, deserves a 
passing notice in this history. Some fifty years 
ago one or two wags in Byberry, for want of bet- 
ter employment, raised a report that some hunters 
in the Far West had discovered a family of giants, 



BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 169 

consisting of a man, his wife and child. The man 
was unwilling to be captured, and resisted them so 
fiercely that they were forced, partly in self-de- 
fence, to shoot him. After his death the wife and 
child, considering resistance useless, submitted to 
their captors, and were brought eastward to be 
exhibited to the wondering people inhabiting the 
towns and villages in Pennsylvania. The man 
was covered with hair, like the wild animals of his 
native forests; but, unfortunately, his precious 
body lay buried near the spot where he so gal- 
lantly fought for his dear wife and child. The 
latter were brought on in excellent health, and 
were said to be on exhibition at Flourtown, a small 
village in Montgomery County, about ten miles 
distant. The mother was sixteen feet high, and 
the " little one," though only six months old, was 
six feet high. It required one barrel of flour per 
week to keep the woman in bread, and the child 
drained the udders of three cows, besides the nour- 
ishment obtained from the mother. Wonderful 
and improbable as were these stories, they were 
credited by many people, and several of the more 
curious procured the necessary conveyances, and 
started for Flourtown to see the "show." It is 
said they felt much inward satisfaction while on 
the journey there, and speculated much upon the 
appearance, &c,, of the lady; and one or two, who 
were basking in the sunshine of " single blessed- 
ness,'^ expressed themselves as satisfied that the 
husband had been slaughtered. As they neared 
the village their excitement increased, and, whip- 

15 



170 THE HISTORY OF 

ping up their " nags ^^ into a John Gilpin pace, 
they entered the town and drew up at the princi- 
pal hotel. IsTot finding a very large crowd in at- 
tendance, and but little excitement, they, after 
refreshing, cautiously asked " if there had not 
been a show there ?" but their amazement was in- 
deed great when the landlord stated " he had not 
heard of any except one of a learned goat." Their 
spirits becoming more and more depressed, they 
refreshed once and again, and, with fallen coun- 
tenances, started home. After this party had 
fairly started, the wags raised a second report 
that the "show" had been removed to Jenkin- 
town, several miles nearer. As soon as this was 
heard, several others, mostly on foot, started for 
that place, determined not to let such a favorable 
opportunity pass to see so great a natural curiosity. 
They trudged on, with high hopes and great an- 
ticipations, and in due time arrived at Jenkintown, 
where they saw their fellow-dupes and the learned 
goat, but nothing of the " Big Woman." After 
much " smiling" to keep up their depressed spirits, 
they turned toward home wiser, if not better men. 
The hoax was too good to be kept, and soon was 
in everybody's mouth ; but it grated harshly u^^on 
the ears of those whose credulity had been prac- 
tised upon, and for many years afterward it was 
much safer, before mentioning the " Big Woman " 
in the presence of any of the victims, to be certain 
that there was room for a retreat in the rear, for 
it seldom failed to create a pugnacious spirit in 
the humbugged person. 



BYBERRY AND MO RE LAND. 



171 



ACCOUNT OF A FEW BIRTHS AND DEATHS IN 
BYBERRY AND VICINITY. 









Born. 


Died. 


Age. 


Joseph Kniglit, 


, 


1680 


1762 


82 


Abigail, his wife, 


, 


1682 


1764 


82 


Mary Thornton, their daughter 


, 1723 


1793 


70 


Giles Knight, their son, 




1719 


1799 


80 


Elizabeth, his wife, . 




1717 


1766 


49 


Henry Tomlinson, . 






1721 


1800 


79 


Sarah Titus, 






1713 


1792 


79 


Thomas Townsend, 






1720 


1794 


74 


John Townsend, 






1723 


1800 


77 


Catharine Singley, 






1702 


1802 


100 


Sarah Bolton, . 






1698 


1784 


86 


John Paul, 






1715 


1786 


71 


Edward Parry, 






1725 


1792 


67 


Susanna "Walmsley, 






1715 


1795 


80 


Nathaniel Samms, 






1718 


1796 


78 


Grace Townsend, 






1721 


1803 


82 


Jonathan Parry, 






1743 


1809 


66 


Rachel Bolton, . 






1728 


1810 


82 


Thomas Ridge, . 






1728 


1810 


82 


"William Walton (Jersey 


Billy) 


, 1725 


1807 


82 


Daniel Brittin (Smithfield), 


1690 


1760 


70 


Elizabeth Brittin, . 


. 


1687 


1766 


79 


John Brittin, son of Daniel, 


1715 


1795 


80 


Thomas Walmsley, Sr., 


. 


1674 


1754 


80 


Mary, his wife, 




1676 


1765 


79 


David Jones, an ancient 


man, . 




1756 


— 


Thomas W^alton, 


. , 


1658 


1758 


100 


Henry Walmsley, 


. 


1671 


1759 


88 


Thomas Tomlinson (Bensalem) 


1688 


1764 


76 


Joanna, his wife, 


. 


1702 


1772 


70 


Joseph Gilbert, 


. 


1675 


1765 


90 


Thomas Rush, . 


. 


1685 


1771 


86 


William Ridge, 


. 




1696 


1776 


80 



iZ THE 


HISTORY OP 






Born. 


Died. 


Age 


Thomas Walton, . . .1693 


1777 


84 


William Croasdale, 






1689 


1777 


88 


Samuel Allen, . 






1701 


1785 


84 


V William Homer, 






. 1707 


1786 


79 


Isaac Carver, . 






1721 


1786 


65 


Phebe, his wife, 






1718 


1793 


75 


William Hibbs, 






1700 


1789 


89 


John Carver, . 






1717 


1791 


74 


Ann Davis, 






1715 


1798 


83 


Giles Knight, . 






. 1720 


1799 


79 



/ 



We find, upon looking over tlie list of subscri- 
bers to defray the expenses of Bjberry Meeting, 
that of the seventy-four persons mentioned in 
1806, not one is now living ; of the seventy per- 
sons mentioned in 1807, James Paul only is living; ^ 
of the seventy-four persons mentioned in 1809, 
Jeremiah Comfort, James Paul, and Robert Parry 
only are living; and, of the eighty-five subscri- 
bers for building Byberry Meeting-House, in 1810, 
John P. Townsend, Jeremiah Comfort, Mary Pike, 
and Robert Parry only are living. Thus in a few 
short years the present generation will have passed 
awaj^, and the places which know us now will then 
know us no more forever. 



NOTES OP EVENTS EXTKACTED FKOM OLD 
MANUSCIUPTS. 



[1753.] John Holgate on the township. 
A legacy of £17 3s. 8c?. left to Byberry by Philip 
Honey. 



BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 173 

[1754.] The township Dr. to 100 hobnails bought 
of Thomas Maul for Holgate's shoes, 4:d. 

Making two shirts for Holgate with thread, 3s. 

4:d. 

Making breeches for Holgate with thread, 3s. 6d. 

Making shoes for Holgate, 7s. 6d. 

Drawing a tooth for Holgate by Thomas Town- 
send, dd. 

The township Dr. to Thomas Mardon for keep- 
ing with victuals, drink, washing, lodging, and 
mending, the said Holgate from May the 4th, 1754, 
till March the 25th, 1755, £5. 

Thomas Mardon and William Homer were Over- 
seers of the Poor for the year 1754. The following 
letter to them will show one of the customs of that 
early day : 

" April the First, 1754. 

" Friend Thomas Mardon and William Homer, 
you are hereby desired, according to your lawful 
commissions, to consider, grant, and warn or fore- 
warn, one Jonathan Wright and his family either 
to inhabit quietness, or else forbid them from hav- 
ing my plantation for this year, according to our 

lease 

" From William Homer.^' 

'' He was accordingly forbidden by the aforesaid 
Overseers." 

[1759.] Paid lawyer Moreland £1 17s. Qd. for ad- 
vice and assistance on account of ye poor. 

[1760.] John Keen killed by a fall from a horse. 

15* 



174 THE HISTORY OF 

Justice Austin paid for swearing Jane Cox. 

Sarah Dykes, Jane Cox and child, and Joan 
Smith on poor list. 

Paid 9s. 4:d. for IJ yards of bearskin for Hol- 
gate's jacket. 

Paid 8s. for Holgate's shoes. 

Paid lawyer Galloway for advice, £1 2s. 6d. 

Paid lawyer John Eoss, £3 2s. 6^. 

Paid lawyer Moreland, £3 10s. 

Third mo. 16, a very great snow fell. 

[1761.] Paid Joseph Galloway for advice, £2. 

Bought linsey wooisey at 3s. per yard. 

Paid £1 to William Folwell for tending Court at 
I^Tewtown ten days, to prove Jane Cox's husband 
served four years, by indenture, with him in Jer- 
sey. 

[1762.] Samuel Swift noted as a doctor. 

Joseph Galloway paid 17s. 6^. for removing a 
trial from the Quarter Sessions to the Supreme 
Court. 

[1764.] Josiah Foster killed by a wagon. 

Joan Smith removed to Abington. 

Daniel Boileau's wife killed by thunder. 

[1765.] March 22, a very great snow began to 
fall, which lasted till the 29tb, at night. 

[1767.] Mary Grimes killed by a riding chair, 

Thomas Homer killed by a cart. 

[1768.] John Holgate died. 

[1769.] April 20th, a very smart shower of snow. 

[1770.] 10s. received of Alexander Edwards for 
profane swearing. 



BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 175 

7s. Qd. paid to Mary States for extending kind- 
ness to Catharine Hickey in time of labor. 

[1771.] John Johnson fined 5s. by Alex. Edwards 
for profane swearing. 

[1772.] John Humphreys fined 55. by Alex. Ed- 
wards for profane swearing. 

[1775.] 8 mo. 5, Peter States killed by the fall of 
Gill's house when it was raining. 

[1776.] 1 mo. 9, Mary Tanner departed this life 
about 4 o'clock in the morning, being about 89 
years of age. 

[1777.] 2 mo. 4, Priscilla Walton buried; died 
with the small-pox. 

5 mo. The First of this month Howe's army is to 
come — Eobert Croasdale told Jonathan Wilson. 

5 mo. 1, Abel Knight died from a hurt received 
from a cart. 

6 mo. 9, Benjamin Walton, Jacob Eoads, and 
William Peart stole a blanket from me, Car- 
ver. 

[1779.] 2 mo. 16, Eachel Carver heard the shad- 
frogs. 

3 mo. 24, a deep snow, and a very snowy day. 

6 mo. 28, began wheat harvest, and finished 7 
mo. 8. 

[1780.] 2 mo. 6, a tea-pot cost £31 17s. 6d. Con- 
tinental money. 

3 mo. 30, snow all day long — the snow eleven 
inches deep in common. 

4 mo. 2, went to meeting in the sleigh ; it was 
tolerably good going; some came four miles. 

5 mo. 19, a remarkably dark day, with smoke. 



176 THE HISTORY OF 

7 mo. 13, began to cut wheat. 

8 mo. 15, eat common red cherries. 

10 mo. 7, a new tea-kettle bought for £112 10s. 
12 mo. 4, ground covered with snow. 
12 mo. 19, green flies plenty. 
[1781.] 2 mo. 3 and 4, trees covered with ice to 
admiration. 

7 mo. 20, finished hauling wheat — lateness occa- 
sioned by wet weather and heavy wheat. 

9 mo. 15, finished sowing wheat. 

[1782.] 9 mo. 7, John Carver finished sowing 
forty-five acres of wheat. 

12 mo. 9, in the morning it began to snow, and 
continued until midnight, snowing very fast most 
of the time. It was near fourteen inches deep. 

[1783.] 1 mo. 9 and 10, a very great snow storm, 
about twelve or fourteen inches deep. 

5 mo. 21, the locusts began to come out of the 
ground in great numbers. 

8 mo. 29, began sowing wheat. 
[1784.] 4 mo. 9, the cistern froze. 

[1785.] Frogs heard for first time, 3 mo. Ist. 

4 mo. 16, there was a hard, black frost, and the 
little, still ponds w^ere frozen over. 

4 mo. 19, a great hail storm. 

12 mo. 18, the weather very warm. 

12 mo. 19, heard the bluebirds. 

[1786.] 4 mo. 4, hail and snow fell to the depth 
of 5 inches. 

6 mo. 18, a white frost. 

12 mo. 4, about ten inches of snow fell upon an 
average, if it had not drifted. 



BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 177 

12 mo. 8, it snowed and hailed, with a very high 
wind. Snow drifted to a great height. 

12 mo. 25, Isaac Carver departed this life with 
the small-pox. 

[1787.] 4 mo. 21, a very smart snow; the ground 
in the evening covered white with snow ; the trees 
in full bloom; and it froze near an inch thick, and 
looked awful. 

6 mo. 23, Mary Carver taken ill with the small- 
pox. 

12 mo. 22, the roads dry and dusty. 
[1788.] Second Month, eighteenth day, 

Our boy, James Anderson, ran away. 

7 mo. 16, began harvesting ; the first of the fly to 
our knowledge. — John Carver. 

9 mo. 1, Thomas Roberts killed by falling out of 
a tree. 

[1789.] 2 mo. 19, a very deep snow, near four- 
teen inches, if it had not drifted. 

7 mo. 30, a great flood. 

8 mo. 2, 3, and 4, there were four stout freshes 
in Poquessing Creek. 

[1790.] 4 mo. 28 — this morning the ground was 
covered Avith snow, and some of it lasted till night. 

[1791.] 10 mo. 18, the trees were covered with 
sleet. It snowed and hailed and rained. The sleet 
lasted all the day long. 

[1792.] 5 mo. 19, a large frost. 

[1793.] 12 mo. 3 and 4, it snowed and blowed 
very hard. The snow was thought by some to be 
fourteen inches deep. 

[1795.] 6 mo. 2, a hail storm. 



178 THE HISTORY OP 

[1804.] 3 mo. 29, thunder and great rain. 

[1806.] First snow 12 mo. 3; moon twenty-three 
days old when the snow fell. 

8 mo. 23, a great rain. 

11 mo. 1, nothing in garden yet killed by frost. 

[1807.] 4 mo. 25, the first thunder of the season. 

[1829.] 9 mo. 17, Isaac Comly saw a land turtle 
on his farm which was marked I. C. (Isaac Comly), 
1790; E.G. (Ezra Comly), 1795; J. C. (Joseph 
Comly), 1799. This turtle had been seen in 1811, 
1812, 1815, and 1819. On the same day he found 
another turtle, which he had marked I. 0. in 1789, 
forty years j^revious. 



MISCELLANEOUS. 

The good people of these townships were probably 
without a Justice of the Peace prior to 1770, when 
Alexander Edwards took out a commission. Pre- 
vious to that time, those in need of such services 
resorted to Bustleton or Holmesburg. Edwards 
died in 1777, and his son, Dr. Edwards, succeeded 
him in the commission ; but in 1792 he removed to 
Frankford, where he died in 1802. Dr. Edwards 
was very useful in the neighborhood in keeping 
order among those needing restraint, and especially 
among the large boys, who congregated on the 
Sabbath for unnecessary and often pernicious prac- 
tices. Prior to the Revolution no physician had 
thought proper to locate in either of the town- 
shij)S ; but about that time we find Dr. Swift settled 



BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 179 

in Moreland and engaged in an extensive practice. 
Soon afterward Dr. Edwards located in By berry, 
and although considered a skilful physician, he 
gave up the practice after the Eevolution, and 
turned his attention to politics and farming. The 
next one of note was Dr. Samuel Kuio;ht, in the 
lower end of the township. He was much beloved, 
and had the confidence of all classes until his death, 
in 1796. After this physicians became more plenty, 
and the townships have since always been well 
supplied with members of that useful profession. 
In 1784 a stone barn, the first in this vicinity, was 
built by Isaac Comly, on a place known as " Old 
Sod,^' and since then the property of his son Isaac, 
and now owned by Dr. Comly. A part of this is 
still standing, the walls being good, but the wood- 
work is nearly gone. In 1796, the barn now be- 
longing to John P. Townsend, in Mechanicsville, 
was built. About the same time Edward Duflfield 
built a barn in Moreland, near the village of Som- 
erton. These were the first barns with stablins: 
underneath and a bridge to get to the floor and 
mows. They are generally known as "cellar 
barns," and have been the fashion ever since. 

In former times tailors and shoemakers did not 
work in shops as they do now, but they went from 
house to house to accommodate their employers; 
this was called " whipping the cat." The farmers 
would buy a sufficient quantity of leather, and the 
shoemaker was engaged to come once a year, when 
each member of the family was supplied with a 
pair of new shoes. As he boarded w^ith the family 



180 THE HISTORY OF 

his charges were moderate ; although it was often 
very inconvenient for both parties. The tailor, 
also, was sent for as soon as the cloth came from 
the weaver's, and while there usually made up a 
suit of sheepskin breeches for lads and buckskin 
for men. About one hundred years ago square- 
toed shoes and boots were the tip of the fashion 
in this section. The same fashion has prevailed 
three times in the last fifty years, and is now " all 
the go." Almost every farmer thought it neces- 
sary to raise a portion of flax, from which were 
manufactured sheets, shirting, and all other neces- 
sary articles of clothing. One acre of good flax 
would produce enough to clothe ten or twelve per- 
sons, and could be raised at a trifling cost. When 
the tow was spun it was dyed different colors, and 
then sent to the weaver's, who wove it into cloth. 
This furnished material for nearly all the common 
clothing; but the "Sunday" clothes were made 
of finer materials, such as velvet, corduroy, &c. 
The apparel of the female portion of the family 
was generally made of wool, and some itinerant 
wool-comber and sj)inner was engaged every 
autumn to prepare the wool for weaving. From 
the first introduction of sheep in the township 
there was more or less loss sustained from having 
them killed by the dogs. Almost every man kept 
one, and some as many as half a dozen worthless 
curs, which were of no use to anybody, but always 
doing some mischief in the neighborhood. In or- 
der to recompense the owners of the sheep for their 
loss, some persons, in 1826, petitioned the Legis- 



BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 181 

lature and obtained from it an Act for taxing all 
the dogs in the township. The tax was to be col- 
lected by the Overseers of the Poor, and the money 
to be applied to paying for all sheep killed or in- 
jured by the dogs. From the passage of the Act, in 
1826, until 1858, a period of thirty-two years, the 
sum paid for sheep thus killed amounted to one 
thousand and fifty-six dollars, being an average of 
thirty-three dollars per year, a sum greater than 
the real value of all the dogs in the township. On 
the night of the 19th of September, 1848, a dog ^ 
killed twenty sheep for Watson Comly, and the | 
next night the same dog killed twenty more for ; 
Morton Walmsley. The latter sheep were in a 
pen having a high fence around it. Into this the 
dog got by jumping off the barn bridge near by ; 
but after doing the mischief he was unable to es- 
cape from the pen, and in the morning was dis- 
patched by the owner of the sheep. Several others 
suifered in the same way, and fewer sheep have 
been kept since that time, partly on account of the 
danger of having them killed by the dogs. 

Various schemes for getting rich in a shorter 
time than is possible in the ordinary way, have 
from time to time been tried; but all of them have 
uniformly proved failures, and left the experiment- 
ers in a worse, instead of a better, condition. 
Among these we hear of John Hopkins' scheme 
for getting rich by raising mustard, John Han- 
cock's plan of cultivating castor beans to make 
" cold expressed castor oil f and John Livezey's 
culture of the Cayenne pepper-plant to supply the 

16 



182 THE HISTORY OF 

people with that article. In 1838, the famous moms 
multicaulis was introduced, and extensive plans 
for raising silk were entered into. David Comfort 
erected a large frame building, thirty by fifty feet, 
for a cocoonery ; but the bubble burst ; so that 
in the latter part of the same year the trees were 
worthless, and could not be sold at any price, the 
cocoons could not be given away, and all the glo- 
rious expectations vanished like snow beneath the 
summer's sun. Several were plunged into irre- 
trievable ruin, and their properties soon advertised 
by the sheriif. Comfort's cocoonery was sold in 
1843 at less than one-fourth of its original cost, 
and was purchased by Charles Martindale, who 
employed Joseph Comly to move it to his farm, a 
distance of half a mile. This required four days; 
but was finally accomplished without any injury 
to the building. 

About the year 1836, an anti-slavery society was 
established, and persons employed to lecture on 
the "Abolishment of African Slavery." These 
lectures were kept up for several years, and during 
that time some attempts were made to improve 
the condition of the blacks in the vicinity. Under 
the auspices of this society a Sabbath school for 
their instruction was established at the school- 
house in the meeting-house yard, and continued 
for several months, but it gradually declined. The 
members also lost their interest in the society, and 
it survived the school but a short time. It was the 
intention of this society to establish an anti-slavery 
library, and several volumes were purchased for 



BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 183 

that purpose. These were kept at the house of 
Samuel Kirk, in Mechanicsville, where most of 
them still remain, although no new ones have been 
added for many years, and but little interest is 
now manifested in regard to it. 

In 1792, a society for debate was started by the 
young men of Eyberry. At first they met at 
Thomas Walmsley's house, and afterward at the 
school-house. It was generally called " The Con- 
gress," and lasted only one winter. In 1796, an- 
other was started under the name of '' The Frater- 
nal Society," with Asa Walmsley as president, and 
John Comly secretary. It lasted one year. From 
this time till 1820 a debating school was in operation 
nearly every winter. One of these, in 1807, met at 
Byberry Cross-roads, and was composed of nearly 
all the inhabitants in the vicinity, whether good, 
bad, or indifferent. Many ludicrous anecdotes of 
their meetings are etill in existence, William 
Plumley was the president; and on one occasion, 
when one of the members accidentally got intoxi- 
cated, he was fined one dollar, which sum was im- 
mediately paid. In 1858, the Byberry Literary 
Society was established, with eighty-four members. 
The proceedings were of an interesting character, 
and attracted much attention, so that the meetings 
were well attended. A paper known as the Lit- 
erary Record was connected with the society, the 
articles to which were contributed by the members. 
Some of these compositions were very creditable, 
and evinced considerable talent on the part of the 
writers. After the commencement of the late 



184 THE HISTORY OP 

rebellion several members left the neighborhood, 
and most of those remaining lost all interest in it, 
so that it was closed in 1862. 

In 1864, this was again revived under the title 
of " Bjberry Institute;" and through judicious 
management on the part of the members has be- 
come more popular than any such institution pre- 
viously established in the township. The sessions 
are held weekly in the Byberry Hall, and gener- 
ally attract full houses. This society held its first 
annual reunion in a romantic spot along the banks 
of the beautiful JSTeshaminy, in August, 1865. On 
that occasion several hundred invited guests as- 
sembled to listen to the dialogues, essays, and ora- 
tions which were delivered by the members. The 
day was favorable, the exercises were good, and 
the whole affair passed off with so much satisfac- 
tion, that the first annual reunion of the Byberry 
Institute will long be I'emembered with pleasure 
by all who participated in its enjoyments. The 
second annual reunion of this society was held in 
August, 1866, and was still better than the first. 
These societies are to be commended as being the 
means of diffusing useful knowledge in the neigh- 
borhood, and we hope that this one may be long 
continued. 

About thirty years ago a " debating school " 
was started in Moreland, and the meetings were 
held in Tillyer's school-house. It continued for 
several years, and was attended by most of the 
people in the vicinit}^, some of whom learned right 
well how " to spout." In later times a society for 



BYBERRY AND MOREL AND. 185 

debating was started in Somerton, and became so 
popular as to attract speakers who lived six or 
eight miles away. It was closed in 1863, and has 
not since been revived. 

When we look back, even for a few years, we 
find that great changes have taken place in almost 
every locality, particularly in the buildings and 
the general appearance of the country. Three 
houses formerly stood along the Bustleton and 
Somerton turnpike, near where the creek crosses 
above Byberry Point. The one on the west side 
was built of stones and logs, and but one story 
high, and was for many years occupied by Conrad 
Lingerman. The other two were on the east side, 
about fifty yards apart, both being on the farm of 
Thomas Chappeli. One of these was a frame house 
two stories high, with but one room down stairs, 
and was occupied by Thomas Clark, in 1820. The 
other was stone and log, and occupied, in 1822, by 
Joseph Force; soon after this the house was torn 
down. At Byberry Point a very old frame and 
log house stood for many years, and was at one 
time occupied by George Duffield. It was taken 
down eight or nine years since bj'- Jesse Clewell, 
its present owner, and a more commodious one 
erected in its place. A blacksmith shop formerly 
stood at this place, but has been gone over twenty- 
five years. Between this and the creek, on the 
west side of the road, was a woods, which I re- 
member as a dark, gloomy place. Just above the 
point on the Byberry turnpike was a woods on the 
west side, and near by an old frame dwelling owned 

16* 



186 THE HISTORY OP 

and occupied for many years by " Bulger " Worth- 
ington. After it came into the possession of George 
W. Saurman, most of the timber was sold off, and 
a new house built in the woods, in 1855. The old 
house has since been removed, and the place much 
improved. At Knightsville, the old house occupied 
by Leonard Knight, Esq., was torn down in 1856, 
a short time after the Squire's death. The old 
school-house which stood nearly opposite to John 
Eoberts's tenant-house has been moved back into 
John Tomlinson's orchard, and is now used as a 
wagon and store house. Opposite Tillyer's school 
a very old log house stood where Mrs. Thomas 
now lives, and was owned and occupied for many 
years by Thomas Helverson. The present dwell- 
ing was built by his son Sammy, who for many 
years taught the school opposite. An old house 
stood on the farm now owned by Andrew Erwin, 
not far from the present farm-house, but nearer the 
creek. This was the residence of Susan Albertson 
for several years, and until her death at a very 
advanced age. The present house was built by 
Squire Dawes. 

The house on the farm now owned by William 
Potts is very old, and was at onetime occupied by 
William Wainwright, and afterward by Dr. Worth- 
ington, who removed thence to Soraerton, about 
1823. The farm-house on the property owned by 
the late Thomas Worthington was built by Thomas 
Banes, grandfather of Joseph Banes, of Bustleton, in 
place of a very old log house formerl}* there. Nearly 
all the ancient houses in Somerton have been torn 



BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 187 

down and new ones erected in their places, so that 
the village presents rather a neat appearance. Four 
old huts iu this village were torn down several 
years since by the neighbors, in order to get rid of 
the occupants, who occasionally visited the " hen- 
roosts " and *' wood-piles " in the vicinity. At 
Byberry Cross-roads there has been great change. 
There was a lai'ge tract of woodland where Silas 
Tomlinson's house now stands, and which extended 
along the turnpike nearly to the little stream 
crossing some distance below. In the west corner 
was a store, kept previous to 1817 by the Carvers, 
but during that year they sold out to Isaac Bolton. 
It was afterwards kept by Josiah Walton, Thomas 
E. Martindale, Charles E. Clayton, and others. A 
blacksmith shop stood in the north, and a small 
tenement in the south corner. All of these have 
been removed, and a new set of buildings erected 
in the west corner by Silas Tomlinson, the present 
owner. This spot formerly had the euphonious 
name of " Plumbsock," but is now called " By- 
berry Cross-roads." An old house formerly stood 
under the walnut tree opposite to Charles Martin- 
dale's orchard, and a blacksmith shop stood in the 
orchard, near the road. The well near the dwell- 
ing-house remained open until about twenty years 
ago. It had been filled with stones to within six 
or eight feet of the top, and was thus left, until 
one day when they were plowing in the field, one 
of the horses backed into it. After considerable 
trouble he was taken out with a few bruises, and 
the old well was filled up on the same day. An 



188 THE HISTORY OF 

old log house formerly stood near George Deha- 
ven's line, on land belonging to Mr, Wilmer. It 
was built by one of the Waltons. Another log 
house stood where II. Humphrey's house now 
stands, and was torn down only a few years ago. 
On John Eoberts's farm stood an old house for 
many years occupied by Benny Peart. The build- 
ings on the farm belonging to Charles Martindale 
formerly consisted of an old stone house and a log 
barn. The barn fell down near thirty years ago, 
and the house was demolished by the present owner 
about 1848. A blacksmith shop formerly stood at 
the corner of Comly's road and Bustleton turn- 
pike, near James Tomlinson's house. It was re- 
moved many years ago. A blacksmith shop stood 
at Byberry Point, and for many years belonged to 
George Duffield, but it was removed thirty odd 
years ago. An old still-house, in which many a 
gallon of whiskey was distilled, formerly stood on 
the late Judge Sommers's farm. The whiskey busi- 
ness became so unprofitable that it was given up 
about forty years ago, and the still-house con- 
verted into a wagon-house. A still-house also 
stood on John Lingerman's farm, then belonging 
to John Dyer, but this, too, has long since passed 
away. 

The road leading from Byberry Store to Town- 
send's Mill had a woods on both sides of it for a 
considerable part of the distance. That on James 
Thornton's place, now owned by Richard Cripps, 
was for many j^ears left open as commons, and 
was a place of resort for the older part of the pres- 



BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 189 

ent generation when they went to school. It was 
filled with cow-paths ; and one of those who then 
frequented that spot has remarked ''that the tink- 
ling of the cow-bell, mingled with the shouts of 
happy school-children, when he was a boy, still 
come fresh to his memory, although like the old 
woods they have long since departed forever." The 
woods on Charles Martindale's place, between his 
orchard and John Barney's, has been cut down 
since my memory, although as far back as 1837. 
Further on were extensive tracts of woodland on 
the farms of John Carver and Evan Townsend, 
which abounded with rabbits, squirrels and part- 
ridges. As gunners were not permitted there, 
game was plenty, and the boys in the vicinity had 
much pleasure as well as profit in trapping and 
snaring it in the fall and winter; but the old oaks, 
chestnuts and hickories, which thickly covered the 
ground, are all gone, and only here and there a 
stump remains to tell the tale to passing travel- 
lers. The east side of the road from Byberry Hall 
to Yanarsdalen's Corner was cleared off only a few 
years since ; and a large tract of timber on the 
road from the Benjamin Bush School-house to Gor- 
don's dam has been removed within the last twenty 
years, and several houses built where it stood. 

In the latter part of 1816, a society of young 
women was formed in Byberry, the object of which 
was to afford relief to the poor. They held meet- 
ings in order to increase their funds, and not only 
made contributions themselves, but solicited them 
from others. Various articles of clothing were 



190 THE HISTORY OF 

made up and distributed among the needy, and did 
much toward alleviating the sufferings of the poor. 

In 1817 the corn was much injured by the grub- 
worm, so that it did not yield more than half a 
crop. Prices that year ranged as follows : wheat, 
per bushel, $1.87 ; rye, 80 cents ; buckwheat, 55 
cents; corn, 75 cents; oats^ 35 cents; flaxseed, 
$1.90; cloverseed, $12; potatoes, 50 cents; butter, 
81 cents; apples, 60 cents; and eggs, 20 cents. 

July 21, 1817, was remarkable for the violent 
storm of wind and rain which occurred, when a 
large number of trees were uprooted or twisted off, 
fences were blown down, the corn much injured, 
and the fruit blown off the trees. Several days in 
the beginning of May, this year, were observed to 
be very smok}^, but the cause was not known. 
Previous to 1840, militia trainings were very com- 
mon in the townships, on which occasions many of 
the inhabitants " turned out and drilled," to obvi- 
ate the necessity of pa3^ing militia fines. On the 
13th of May, 1816, about fifty persons assembled 
for this purpose, and elected Seneca Hibbs as their 
captain. At such times considerable liquor was 
drunk, and, when under its influence, quarrels were 
of frequent occurrence. 

The majority of the people were never much in 
favor of " training days," and toward the last of 
them the greatest " ignoramuses " in the neighbor- 
hood were usuall}^ elected captains, brigade in- 
spectors, &c. ; and their actions while in office 
caused no little merriment to the lovers of fun. 
Isaac Comly remarks that " many of the old resi- 



BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 191 

dents recollect the achievements of Colonel Galla- 
gher. On one occasion at Milford, Bucks County, 
the Colonel was rigged out in a cocked hat, mili- 
tary coat, and a sword four feet long, made of an 
old scythe. He rode Giles Knight's jackass, and 
the sword dragged on the ground. The jackass 
would not go across the bridge over the Nesham- 
iny, so the fellows carried the Colonel, jackass and 
all over, much to the merriment of those present. 
Some objections were made to the Colonel's eating 
dinner with the other officers, but his company 
pushed him on and he went through. This was 
the last training in this section.'' 
• The summer of 1816 was remarkably cool, and, 
from some notes made at the time, we find a frost 
occurred May 16, so as to kill the garden vegetables, 
corn, &c. ; and, on June 11th, frost was noticed in the 
low places generally. During the same year the 
crops were below the average yield, and one of 
the poets of the day noted the fact in the follow- 
ing lines: 

" The grass tho' short the laborer's mowing ; 
The corn is small, but fast is growing ; 
The winter was hard upon our rye; 
The wheat's much injured by the fly ; 
Now and then we have a storm, 
A few days cold, and then it's warm." 

In 1819 land sold at least $30 per acre lower than 
it had done in 1814, and many who were forced to 
sell were entirely ruined. During the winter which 
followed, the laboring men found but little to do, 
and several were hard beset to get along. The as- 



192 THE HISTORY OF 

sociation of ladies was very active, and the suf- 
ferings much mitigated. The poor in other places 
were much pinched, and we find many went round 
with briefs to collect money. One of these was to 
enable John Brooks to build a house; another to 
enable Thomas Eidge to go to Ohio. A Dutch 
woman from Frankford went around to collect 
money for the same purpose, and when questioned 
as to why she came to By berry, she said she was 
advised to " because it was considered a good 
place." Emigrating to Ohio became very fashion- 
able, and several families left their native place; 
among these were Isaac Tomlinson, William Plum- 
ley, Griffith Street, John Adams, and Joseph Croas- 
dale, Jr. 

Some time during the latter part of this summer 
a balloon passed over a portion of Moreland; and 
as things of this kind were rather uncommon, 
people sjDCCulated upon the cause. Some were at 
a loss to conceive what it could be ; but others saw 
in it the resemblance of a cow, which had in some 
supernatural manner been provided with wings, 
and was then journeying over the country in order 
to see the fine farms and happy peoj^le around 
Philadelphia. 

The collection of the tax assessed upon the people 
for military purposes has always been a matter at- 
tended with serious trouble in the townships. Most 
of the inhabitants are Friends, and their principles 
would not permit them to pay money for such pur- 
poses. In many places the collectors did nothing 
more than ask for the tax; while in others they 



BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 193 

adopted every means in their power for obtaining 
it. Sometimes they seized upon such property as 
they could find, such as carriages, harness, grind- 
stones, horses, cows, hogs, &c. ; all of which were 
sold at public sale, after which the overplus was 
returned to the several owners. Those who re- 
fused to pay were often taken to jail, where they 
were sometimes kept for several days, and until 
they or their friends paid the amounts assessed to 
them. 

The summer of 1818 was very sickly, and many 
persons died. Help was very scarce, so that the 
neighbors had to assist each other. Joseph Comly 
was sick nearly all summer, and as he was unable 
to attend to his farm, the neighbors assisted him. 
On one occasion they assembled to the number of 
thirty-five, and cut down thirty acres of grass and 
grain for him in one day. During this year John 
Black kept a hotel at Smithfield ; and we find that 
he brought a suit against several individuals, to 
recover twelve and a half cents for liquor furnished 
them by way of treat at the militia muster. He 
obtained judgment in his favor, and they had the 
debt to pay as well as the costs. This year Conrad 
Snyder, from Bensalem, was through Byberry 
collecting money to pay a doctor's bill ! Lucky 
doctor ! 

August 29, 1818, we find it stated that Elizabeth 
Barton was at Byberry Meeting, and preached on 
the subject of "The sun's softening wax and hard- 
ening clay." 

Some of the geniuses of the townships are spoken 

17 



194 THE HISTORY OF 

of as trying their skill at invention- during this 
year. Their thoughts were influenced by the am- 
bitious desires of Fulton and others; and Benjamin 
Willard, of Mechanicsville, spent some time in 
making a wagon to go by steam ; but, unfortunately 
for the reputation of the village and the purse of 
Willard, the wagon did not go. 

There is still in use in Bj^berry a pair of cart 
wheels, the hubs of which were part of a wagon 
belonging to William Walmsley, greatgrandfather 
to Silas Walmsley. The wagon was taken to carry 
stores to the English army engaged in the French 
and Indian War in 1759. The following occurs in 
William Walmsley's account book : " Ye 30th day 
of ye 6th month, June, 1759, John Yanhorn and 
Thomas Webb pressed my wagon, and took it 
away to carry military stores to Ohio, and brought 
the wagon back ye 29th of ye 9th month, 1759." 
These hubs " are made of quartered white oak, and 
are the last of the military matters of those days. 
Could these hubs speak to their felloes^ what feats 
of arms and deeds of valor done in olden time 
would they portray !" 

After the Revolutionary War wild animals be- 
came very scarce, and panthers, wolves, or wild- 
cats were seldom seen. A panther was shot in 
Moreland about the year 1790. Some wild turkeys 
were geen there in 1792, and in 1835 William Web- 
ster shot a wild-cat near the Bristol turnpike. 
Game, such as partridges, pheasants, rabbits, squir- 
rels, &c., were plenty until within a few years ; but 
as their haunts have been destroyed, they have 



BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 195 

gradually decreased in number until but few are 
now found. 

Exciting accounts of some wild animals have 
from time to time been circulated, and a few of the 
timid ones have been so frightened that they could 
not be induced to expose themselves to the danger 
after nightfall. Although the tracks of bears, 
panthers, otters, beavers, &c., are said to have been 
seen, yet none of these animals have been cap- 
tured. 

In the year 1853, a company of Chippewa In- 
dians, consisting of a chief, his squaw, and two 
sons, visited Byberry, and encamped in Morton 
Walmsley's woods, where they remained nearly 
the whole summer. In order to raise money they 
gave several entertainments in Byberry Hall, 
which were well attended, and furnished them 
with as much as sufficed for their wants. They 
roamed through the fields and woods, but were 
ver}^ civil, not molesting anybody. 

The Independent Mutual Fire Insurance Com- 
pany was chartered in 1843. This is not confined 
to the townships alone, but extends over a portion 
of Bucks, Montgomery, and Philadelphia Counties. 
The first meeting respecting this company was 
held at Somerton in 1842 ; and at the next session 
of the Legislature a charter was obtained. Frank- 
lin Comly, Esq., was the President of the Company 
until his death in 1860 ; since that time John Smith, 
Esq., of Huntington Yalley, has been its presiding 
officer. Watson Comly, Esq., has always been its 
secretary. It commenced with an insurance of 



196 THE HISTORY OF 

$200,000, but the amonnt now insured is over 
$2,800,000, and is steadily increasing. Nearly all 
the property in both townships is insured in this 
Company. The losses by fire are paid by assess- 
ments uj)on the property insured. 

We have" now traced all the more important 
events of the townships from their earliest settle- 
ment down to the present time. In the first part 
of the history we have probably collected nearly 
all events of interest that have escaped the ravages 
of time; but during the last few years various 
things have transpired which we have not noticed, 
although they would be interesting to many per- 
sons. It is, however, probable that few, if any, in 
the townships, have preserved an account of the 
events of the last twenty years — a matter partic- 
ularly to be regretted, as Isaac Comly faithfully 
chronicled all events of interest from about the 
the year 1790, until his death, in 1847, and a por- 
tion of this history has been obtained from such 
accounts as he from time to time published. 



TOPOGEAPHY, GEOLOGY, ETC. 

The surface of Byberry has a general slope to 
the south, the most northern part being suffi- 
ciently elevated to aflPord a good view of the 
greater part of the township and of the country 
lying on both sides of the Delaware River. All 
the larger streams take their rise in this locality, 
and flow in a general southerly direction. Just 



BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 197 

above the northern boundary of the township the 
Poquessing, one of the most beautiful and interest- 
ing streams in the vicinity, takes its rise ; and, as it 
flows onward through a rolling country, forms the 
entire eastern boundary. It has several small trib- 
utaries from Byberry , the most important of which 
is Bloody Eun, which empties into it above Carter's 
Mill, Black Lake Creek atMechanicsville, and Gril- 
bert'sEun, about a mile below. It passes through 
a beautiful district, well suited to agricultural pur- 
poses, the country being moderately rolling, and 
the soil fertile. Its banks, for the most part, are 
skirted with timber, and but few dwellings of any 
description are near it. Much of the scenery along 
its course is picturesque, and it affords considera- 
ble matter of interest to the traveller. From its 
source to its mouth, a distance of about twelve 
miles, there are no fewer than eight mill-dams, 
which furnish water-power to as many mills. This 
can be said of but few streams in this vicinity. Of 
these mills five (one saw-mill and four grist-mills) 
are in Byberry, and are all on the Western bank of 
the creek. 

The Byberry Creek, the next stream of import- 
ance, rises in the " timber swamp," in the north- 
ern part of the township, a little to the southwest 
of Somerton, and flows through the middle of the 
township, receiving several small tributaries in its 
course. One of these — EUwood's Eun — comes from 
Silas Tomlinson's land, and unites with the main 
stream, or Wilson's Eun, on Horace Smith's farm; 
while the only other one of moment rises in More- 

17* 



198 THE HISTORY OP 

land, flows a southeasterly course, and empties into 
the main stream on IS'athaniel Eichardson's farm. 
Soon after receiving this stream the main creek is 
turned to the southwest, around the base of a 
range of hills, forming part of the western bound- 
ary, and finally comes back on the south side of 
the same range, meeting w^ith the Poquessing at 
the extreme southern end of the township, about 
one mile from where it empties into the Delaware. 
This stream has but one mill on it — Charles Com- 
Ij's — near the centre of Byberry. By these streams 
and their tributaries the whole of Byberry is 
drained. 

The surface of the country is generally level, ex- 
cept along the eastern boundary and in the south- 
ern part, where a few moderate elevations are 
found ; yet these are so limited that no part of the 
surface can be said to be hilly or rough. The geo- 
logical features, therefore, present nothing striking ; 
and, so far as I have examined them, but little 
worth inserting in sketches like these. In the 
northern part the soil is a little sandy and mixed 
with mica, and contains some of the common gar- 
net, though the specimens are usually small. This 
is underlaid with rocks of mica slate, which seems 
to be the most common formation in the northern 
part of the township, and from the amount of gar- 
net found in it might be denominated garnetifer- 
ous mica slate. This is well shown along the 
course of the Poquessing. Nearer the middle of 
the township the gneiss formation is generally 
found, composed of quartz, feldspar and mica, and 



BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 199 

underlying the whole surface. These ingredients 
are blended in different proportions, and along 
with them hornblende and talc occasionally occur. 
Along Black Lake Run hornblende is found mixed 
with the gneiss; and in the same vicinity I found 
some specimens of that mineral, where talc had 
taken the place of the mica, forming a rock called 
protogine. Soapstone, or talc, is also found on 
farms belonging to Jonathan Leedom and William 
Carter, near Somerton. On the farm belonging to 
Silas Yanarsdalen, two or three rocks, weighing 
several tons each, have been found, presenting 
very much the appearance of Edge Hill stone. 
These are gneiss, containing more than the usual 
quantity of feldspar, blended with the quartz and 
mica ; the latter in very small quantities, giving to 
it the appearance of Edge Hill stone, which is a 
mixture of feldspar and quartz intimately inter- 
fused. From its spotted appearance it has been 
denominated porphyritic gneiss. It also contains 
a little tourmaline or schorl. Professor Eogers, in 
his report on the geology of Pennsylvania, remarks 
'* that where the feldspar is the predominating min- 
eral, it exhibits a remarkable tendency to pass to 
the condition of kaolin by decomposition." Speci- 
mens of this last-mentioned mineral occur on the 
road leading from Mechanicsville to Gordon's Mill, 
just below Thomas James's house, only a few hun- 
dred yards from the rocks on Yanarsdalen's farm, 
and probably have been formed by such decompo- 
sition. The kaolin is in small quantities, and too 
impure to be of any value for manufacturing pur- 



200 THE HISTORY OF 

poses. In some localities, particularly along the 
Poquessing, where this formation is exposed, the 
laminated structure is somewhat remarkable for 
its tortuosities and irregularities; but in others it 
is very regular in its arrangement, and affords ex- 
cellent material for building and other purposes. 
On Silas Tomlinson's farm there is a quarry of 
hornblende, which furnishes excellent stone for 
turnpikes. This mineral has also been found in 
several other places in the townships. 

Along the Poquessing, about half a mile below 
Mechanicsville, on the Bensalem side of the stream, 
there is a projection or mound about twenty-five 
feet high, and covering near a half acre of surface. 
It is composed of gneiss, the feldspar of which has 
mostly changed into kaolin, and contains here and 
there a few crystals of schorl. This mass has the 
appearance of having at some former time been 
united with the rocks on the Byberry side, its com- 
position and general appearance being similar to 
them. It is, therefore, not improbable, but that 
the Poquessing may once have passed around to 
the east of it, and that the projection was under- 
mined by the action of the water, and fell into the 
valley where it now lies, and that the stream has 
formed a passage between it and the rocks to which 
it was attached. This change probably occurred 
many years since, as the mound is now covered 
with earth, in many places four feet deep, in which 
the remains of large trees may still be seen. 

In the meadow lately owned by George Weiss, 
there are two large masses of rocks, composed of 



BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 201 

asbestiform actinolite, in which impressions simi- 
lar to those made by a man's foot appear. A simi- 
lar print has been observed in a rock near the 
mouth of the Poquessing, which has given rise to 
the belief by the superstitious " that they were 
made by the Devil when he leaped over the Dela- 
ware into the Jerseys." 

Bog iron ore occurs in several places in the 
northern end of the township ; sulphuret of iron in 
small crystals also is found, intermingled with 
other minerals. Some very pure specimens of 
black mica occur along the Poquessing in several 
localities, but they are usually small. A few speci- 
mens of green quartz, or prase, probably colored 
by actinolite, have been found in the vicinity. On 
Nathaniel Eichardson's farm some specimens con- 
taining sulphate of copper have also been found. 

A peculiarity in the water-courses exists which 
deserves to be mentioned. They are all found to 
the western side of the valleys through which they 
flow, and, consequently, that bank is generally 
skirted with hills made up of the gneiss or mica 
slate. From this circumstance it is rare to find a 
good quarry on the eastern banks of any of the 
streams. 

The lower end of Moreland generally slopes to 
the south, being drained by the tributaries of By- 
berry Creek. The soil in that section is generally 
argillaceous, and only moderately fertile. The 
prevailing formation there is micaceous, yet few 
quarries are found. In the northern pUrt the land 
slopes to the west, the surface being sufficiently 



202 THE HISTORY OF 

rolling to carry off the waste water. The soil here 
is either a sandy or gravelly loam, except that 
part in the vicinity of the "timber swamp/' which 
is argillaceous. A small stream rises in this swamp, 
and drains the clay bottom in the vicinity; while 
to the north another stream rises in the rolling 
ground. After flowing about a mile across the 
township in a westerly direction, they unite and 
form a pleasant little stream which finds its way 
to the Penn3^pack, near Yerreeville. Some quar- 
ries have been opened along this stream, from 
which excellent building-stone is obtained. The 
geology, &c., of Moreland, is similar to that of By- 
berry, and affords but little of interest to the gen- 
eral reader. 

VILLAGES, ETC. 

Babylon, about half a mile southeast of the By- 
berry Meeting-house, is a scattered village lying 
on both sides of the road, and containing eight 
dwelling-houses, besides a few other buildings. 
The late Thomas Gilbert was the first settler in 
the place. 

Black Lake is a small stream, one branch of 
which rises on John Carver's place and the other 
on James Thornton's, and, after flowing nearly a 
mile, unite on land belonging to Charles Martin- 
dale. It then flows a winding southeasterly course 
for another mile, and empties into the Poquessing 
at Mechanicsville. The water in this stream has 
a very dark appearance, and is probably colored 



BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 203 

by vegetable matter along its course. This will 
account for the name of "Black," but why called 
"Lake'^ is not known. The name, however, has 
been used from time immemorial, and we are not 
disposed to change it. There is a tradition that 
stonecoal was found along this stream on the farm 
now owned by Charles Martindale, before the 
Revolutionary War, but no evidence of it has since 
occurred. 

Byherry Point, in the western part of Moreland, 
is at the junction of the Bustleton and Byberry 
turnpike roads, about three-fourths of a mile from 
the former place. There is but one house here. 

Byherry Cross-roads is where the Southampton 
road crosses the Byberry and Bensalem turnpike, 
about one mile north of Byberry Meeting-house. 
A tavern was formerly kept here w^ith the sign of 
the " Three Tuns," but was afterwards converted 
into a store, which was kept by different persons 
until within a few years. At one time several me- 
chanics were located here, and the place was called 
"Plumbsock;" but these have all disappeared, and 
the place is now known as Byberry Cross-roads. 

Carter's Mill is on the Poquessing, in the north- 
ern part of the township. It was built by the late 
James Carter. Several houses are in the vicinity. 
A saw and a grist-mill are in operation here, both 
doino^ a srood business. 

Amos Knight's Corner is on the Byberry and 
Holmesburg road, one mile southwest of the Meet- 
ing-house. It w^as named after its late proprietor, 



204 THE HISTORY OP 

Amos Knight, who lived here many years, and 
was noted for his eccentricities. 

EUwood's JRuii is a small stream emptying into 
Byberry Creek on Morris Penrose's place. Its 
source is on land owned by Silas Tomlinson, about 
one mile from its mouth. It was named after 
Thomas Ellwood, who for many years lived in a 
small tenement near it. 

Gingerbread Field is west of Knight's Mill, near 
the Poquessing, on a part of the original Ellis's 
tract of five hundred acres. On this Ellis had his 
habitation ; and in the garden attached both he 
and his wife were buried. The graves were for a 
long time inclosed by a fence, but now no vestige 
of them remains. 

Kaintuck, composed chiefly of meadow-land, is 
situated in the northern part of Byberry, near the 
foot of Edge Hill, and extends along the west 
branch of the Poquessing Creek for half a mile. 

Knighfs Mill is on the Byberry and Andalusia 
turnpike, in the southern part of Byberry. It is 
on the Poquessing, and was erected about 1770, by 
Jonathan Knight, gentleman; it was rebuilt in 
1815. There are five or six dwelling-houses near 
by, also a county bridge over the Poquessing. 

Knightsville is situate on the Byberry and Ben- 
sale m turnpike road, where the Moreland road 
crosses it, near the thirteenth mile-stone. It is a 
village containing six dwelling-houses and some 
other buildings. It was named in honor of Leon- 
ard Knight, Esq., and Jonathan Knight, Judge, 



BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 205 

who for many years resided here. A school was 
formerly kept at this place. 

Minktoivn, a village of two houses, is situate on 
the Poquessing, near Townsend's mill-dam. The 
house was built here over seventy years ago, by 
Benjamin Adams, weaver, and contained but two 
rooms, in which was brought up a large family of 
children. It derived its name from the number 
of minks found here a few years since. Opposite 
to this place is the burying-ground for colored 
people. 

Pleasantville, on the county line, about one mile 
east of Somerton, is a village of ten or twelve 
houses. It was formerly noted for the store kept 
there by Edward Worthington, and was then 
called Tortleburg, or, more politely, Terrapin- 
town. These names have of late been discarded, 
and from its being a pleasant place is now called 
Pleasantville. 

Perth is a small village near Bloody Eun,on the 
road leading from Somerton to the county line. It 
has become noted for being the place where Hart 
was attacked and seriously injured, for which the 
Man sons were tried and acquitted. 

Ridge's Mill is on the Poquessing, near the 
north corner of Byberry. It has a long mill- 
race, but no dam, yet considerable business is done 
here. 

Townsend's Mill, on the Poquessing, one mile 
northeast of Byberry Meeting-house, was built in 
1767, and remained in the Townsend family from 
its erection until within ten or twelve years. It 

18 



206 ' THE HISTORY OF 

is a valuable property, and capable of grinding 
15,000 bushels per year. There are several dwell- 
ings and a smith and wheelwright shop near it. 
During the exciting presidential canvass of 1844 it 
was called " Coonville/' on account of the emblem- 
atic raccoons kept there in connection with the 
cause of Henry Clay, and has since frequently gone 
by that name. 

Timber Swamp. This is a large tract of wood- 
land reaching from the w^est corner of Byberry 
near Andrew Ervein's, northeast along the More- 
land line almost to the Somerton road. This was 
formerly one vast tract of woodland, the largest in 
the vicinity, and was a noted hunting ground. 
Eaccoons, opossums, squirrels, and birds were 
found there in abundance, and even bears Avere 
sometimes seen. The last Bruin found there was 
in 1780, and was shot by Jersey Billy Walton. It 
was formerly a great place for ghosts, &c., and 
many marvellous tales have been narrated as oc- 
curring in the " timber swamp." Much of the tim- 
ber has been cleared oif wnthin a few years, and its 
limits thereby greatly contracted. 

Foweiltown, at the junction of the Moreland and 
the Holmesburg roads, is a village of five or six 
dwelling-houses, a school-house, and some other 
buildings. The school-house is a new building, and 
an ornament to the place. This village is named 
after a family of Powells, who resided there for 
many years. 

Comly's Mill is the only one on the Byberry 
Creek, and is near the centre of Byberry, about 



BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 207 

one mile south of the Meeting-house. This stream 
not furnishing sufficient water-power, the enter- 
prising proprietor, Charles B. Comly, introduced 
steam, and the mill is now run by it instead of 
water, and does an extensive business. A few 
bouses have been built near by, mostly by Robert 
Phillips, the former owner, giving the place the 
appearance of a village. 

Somerton, the largest village in the township, is 
situate on the Bustleton and Somerton turnpike 
road, about three miles from the former place, and 
thirteen from Philadelphia. It is partly in More- 
land and partly in By berry, and extends a quarter 
of a mile along the turnpike. A public school- 
house and a Methodist church have, within a few 
years, been erected here. Besides these, the place 
contains three hotels, two shoemakers, one saddle 
and harnessmaker, two stores, one wheelwright, 
one blacksmith, one undertaker, two carpenters, 
one tailor, and one doctor. It contains about 
thirty-five dwelling-houses, and a population num- 
bering about one hundred and eighty persons. A 
post-offico has been established here, and is con- 
nected with Philadelphia by a daily mail- A little 
to the east of the village is the William Penn 
Cemetery. 

Byherry Store, now owned by Ross M. Knight, is 
the chief emporium of Byberry, and is near the 
centre of the township. A post-office was estab- 
lished here in 1832, and it is now in daily commu- 
nication, by mail, with Philadelj^hia. Near by is 
Friends' Meeting-house, in which many important 
events of bygone times have transpired, and around 



208 THE HISTORY OP 

which much that is dear to every native of By- 
berry still lingers. Byberry Hall and the Cabinet 
of Natural Curiosities belonging to the Byberry 
Philosophical Society are here; and the old school, 
established more than a century ago, and which 
for a long time was the only one in the township, 
is still kept open for the education of the youth. 
A tailor and a shoemaker shop are near at hand; 
and two or three dwelling-houses also help to give 
importance to the place. It is now as it has been 
ever since the first settlement, the centre of at- 
traction in Byberry. 

llechanicsviUe, next to Somerton in point of size, 
is situate on the Poquessing, where Black Lake 
Creek empties into it. It was named from the 
number of mechanics settled there, and is a place 
of considerable importance. It contains about 
twenty dwelling-houses and several other build- 
ings, which are scattered on both sides of the 
valley through which Black Lake flows ; and it 
numbers about one hundred and fifty persons in 
l^opulation. In it the trades are well represented, 
as carpenters, masons, storekeepers, machinists, 
butchers, wheelwrights, saddlers and harnessma- 
kers, scriveners, and farmers are found within 
its limits. A mill for sawing lumber and grinding 
feed, and a public school, are in successful opera- 
tion here. Opposite to this place, on the Bensa- 
lem side of the Poquessing, is Elizabethtown, a 
small village containing several dwellings, all of 
which have been erected within twelve or fifteen 
years. A substantial county bridge connects these 
two places. 



BYBEREY AND MORELAND. 209 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 



JOHN HAKT. 



John Hart, born at Whitney, in Oxfordshire, 
England, November 16, 1651 (O. S.), was among 
the earliest settlers, having come over with Penn, 
in 1682. He purchased four hundred and eighty- 
four acres of land, bordering on the Poquessing 
Creek, in the southern part of Byberry, on which 
he settled and spent several years of his life. He 
was a man of rank, character, and reputation, had 
considerable influence, and was several times 
elected a member of the Assembly. He was 
a leading member of Byberry Meeting, and at 
one time considered a good preacher. He mani- 
fested great interest in promoting the views and 
doctrines of George Keith, his name being at- 
tached to many of the papers published by that 
party against Friends ; and at the separation, all 
his nearest neighbors, and some of those more dis- 
tant, joined him in opposing the principles main- 
tained by Friends. After the separation, in 1691, 
he preached to a society of Keithians that met at 
the house of John Swift, in Southampton ; but, in 

18* 



210 THE HISTORY OP 

1697, this meeting was broken up, and he, along 
with many others, embraced the principles of the 
Baptists, and was baptized by Thomas Eutter. In 
1702, they joined the meeting at Pennyj^ack, where 
Hart became assistant minister, but was never 
ordained. He was, however, considered a pious 
Christian and a good preacher, and continued to 
oflSciate at that meeting, and at a Baptist Church 
in Philadelphia, from 1707 to 1720. He sold all 
his possessions in Byberry in 1705, and removed to 
Southampton. His wife Avas Susannah Push, by 
whom he had five children : John, Joseph, Thomas, 
Josiah, and Mary, who married into the Crispin, 
Miles, Paulin, and Dungan families, and mostly 
settled in Lower Dublin. 

JOHN KUSH. 

John Push, the patriarch of the Push famil}^ in 
Byberry, was the commander of a troop of horse 
in Cromwell's army. After the war was over, he 
married Susannah Lucas, of Harteen, in Oxford- 
shire, in 1648. In 1660, he embraced the princi- 
ples of the Quakers, and along with his whole 
family, consisting of seven children and several 
grandchildren, came to Pennsylvania in 1683, and 
settled on Byberry Creek, near where Peuben 
Parry now lives. In 1691, he and his family 
became Keithians, and, in 1697, most of them 
joined the Baptists. He died in 1699, leaving ten 
children, seven sons and three daughters. His 
sword and watch have been preserved by his de- 



BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 211 

scendants ; also, his family Bible, containing the 
names of his children, in his own handwriting. 

JAMES KUSH. 

James Eush, son of John and Susannah Eush, 
was born in Oxfordshire, England, in .1678, and 
was brought over wdth the family to Pennsylva- 
nia, in 1683. He never married, but remained at 
the family mansion, where he died in 1727, aged 
forty-nine years, and was buried in the ancient 
graveyard in the southern part of By berry. 

WILLIAM KUSH. 

William Eush, son of John and Susannah Eush, 
came over with the family in 1683. He was mar- 
ried while in England ; but his wife, Amelia, died 
in the latter part of the same year of their arrival, 
and was buried at John Hart's burying-ground on 
the Poquessing. "VYilliam died in 1688. 

HENRY ENGLISH. 

Henry English, brother-in-law to Giles Knight, 
came over to Byberry sometime previous to 1690. 
While in England he married Hannah West, in 
1685, and with her came to America, and settled 
on his half of his father's purchase in Byberry. He 
was a member with Friends, and gave one acre of 
ground for the use of the meeting. But little is 
known of him except that he lost his first wife, 
and that he married Hannah, widow of William 
Hibbs, in 1712. In March, 1711, a year previous 
to this marriage, he made a deed of his property 



212 THE HISTORY OF 

to his intended spouse, which expressly stated 
" that it Tvas in consideration of the love, good-will 
and affection which he had and did bear toward 
his loving friend, Hannah Hibbs." He died about 
1724, but probably left no children. 

JOSEPH ENGLISH. 

Joseph English, one of the original settlers, 
came over with Penn, in 1682, and settled in By- 
berry. He married Joan, widow of Henry Comly, 
of Bucks County, in 1684. He died 8th mo. 10th, 
1686, and his wife, 10th mo. 20th, 1689. 

WALTER FORREST. 

Walter Forrest came over with Penn, in 1682. 
He took up a large tract of land in New Jersey ; 
also, some land in the southern part of Byberry, 
bordering on the Poquessing. On this little tract 
he settled, and built a mill near where Thomas's 
Mill now stands. He was a member with Friends, 
and his name frequently appears in the early rec- 
ords of the Society. He held considerable prop- 
erty at the time of his death, but it is probable 
that he left no heirs, as none are mentioned in his 
last Will. 

ABEL KINGSTONE. 

Abel Kingstone, one of the earliest settlers in 
Bensalem^ lived near the present residence of Jo- 
seph Knight. The earliest account of him extant 
is, that in 1706 he was appointed one of the Over- 
seers of Byberry Preparative Meeting. He was 



BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 213 

continued in this service for several years ; and, 
between 1717 and 1735, was repeatedly chosen to 
visit Friends' families, in which service he gave 
great satisfaction. He was appointed an Elder by 
Abington Monthly Meeting, in which capacity he 
continued twenty-eight years, and was the first 
person chosen to this station under the discipline. 
He is uniformly spoken of by his neighbors and 
contemporaries with much respect, and was consid- 
ered a valuable and worthy Friend. He was an 
approved minister in the Society for many years 
previous to his death, which occurred 11th mo., 
1747. He left several daughters, one of whom 
married John Cadwallader, of Horsham ; and an- 
other (Susannah) married George James, of Phila- 
delphia, in 1717, and had two children, Abel and 
Elizabeth. Abel was afterward a noted merchant 
in Philadelphia, and Elizabeth married Giles 
Knight the second, in 1738, and became owners of 
the Kingstone estate in Bensalem. 

GEOEGE JAMES. 

George James was a tailor, and followed that 
business at the old Kingstone homestead in Ben- 
salem. He buried his first wife, and, in 1738, mar- 
ried Sarah Townsend, of Long Island. She was a 
widow, and the mother of Thomas and John Town- 
send, who were afterwards noted members of By- 
berry Meeting. George James was a member of 
the Society of Friends, and by them was much re- 
spected. His wife Sarah died about 1773, aged 
about 83 years. The date of his death is not known. 



214 THE HISTORY OP 



WILLIAM IIIBBS. 

William Hibbs was among the early settlers 
from England, and Lis land laid northwest of the 
tract belonging to Henry English. He remained 
with Friends after the Keithian controversy, but 
seems to have had some difficulty with his neigh- 
bors. He died previous to 1711. 

DUNCAN FAMILY. 

The Duncans settled north of By berry, in Ben- 
salem. They were noted in their day as solid and 
exemplary Friends. Among these were John Dun- 
can, Edmond Duncan, and William Duncan, for 
many years Clerk of Byberry Meeting. The last 
of the family was a " learned old bachelor," who 
died at an advanced age, in 1808. 

JOSEPH FOSTER. 

Joseph Foster was among the early inhabitants, 
and we find it stated that in 1731 he purchased of 
Josiah Ellis a part of his tract in Byberry, and 
erected a log house thereon, near the residence of 
the late Isaac Comly, where he lived several years. 
He left eight sons, from whom most of that name 
have descended. 

WILLIAM HOMEK. 

William Homer settled in Byberry in 1713. He 
was a member with Friends. He married Mary 
Walton in 1729, but left no children. 



BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 215 



WILLIAM BILES. 

William Biles came from England in 1678, and 
took up his residence in Bucks County. He had 
considerable talents, and was one of the Justices 
of Upland Court, until the division of the Province 
into three counties. He was a man of integrity 
and influence, a valuable minister of the Society of 
Friends, and was one of the signers of the cele- 
brated testimony of that Society against George 
Keith. He frequently visited the settlement at 
Byberry, and was identified with its early history. 

ABEL JAMES. 

Abel, son of George and Susannah James, and 
grandson of Abel Kingstone, was born at the resi- 
dence of his grandfather, on the Poquessing Creek, 
in 1716. He married Eebecca, daughter of Thomas 
Chalkley, and afterward became a noted merchant 
of Philadelphia. He was much esteemed for his 
benevolence, and distinguished himself as an act- 
ive member of the Friendly Association for regain- 
ing and preserving peace with the Indians in 1757. 

ANN MOORE. 

In 1750, Walter Moore and his wife, Ann 
MooRE, came from Fairfax, and resided at By- 
berry four years. She was a valuable minister 
among Friends, and was held in high esteem by 
all who knew her. Her parents lived in Bucks 
County, where she was brought up without much, 
if any, education, and but little care had been ex- 



216 THE HISTORY OF 

ercised over her in any way. She was unfortu- 
nate in her marriage, as her husband was not only 
in indigent circumstances, but was intemperate. 
She appears, however, to have risen above the 
things of time, and looked to a Higher power for 
support under those trying circumstances; and, if 
we are allowed to judge from her words and ac- 
tions, the light of truth enlarged her understand- 
ing, and, in an eminent degree, qualified her as 
a gospel minister. She was indeed a powerful 
preacher. Her manners were dignified, her voice 
melodious, and when exercised in the ministry, her 
w^ords flowed freely; her style was impressive, and 
her thoughts were clothed in such beautiful lan- 
guage that she attracted many hearers, and few 
preachers in that day were considered her equal. 
Of her Dr. John Watson remarks : " That she used 
no gestures; her left hand was applied to the side 
of her face, while the truths of the gospel flowed 
from her tongue in language, accents and periods, 
somewhat resembling the style of the poems of 
Ossian." They resided in a small tenement be- 
longing to Benjamin Walton, near David Dyer's 
present residence. In 1754 they removed to Mary- 
land, and no further account of them has been 
found. 

NICHOLAS MOORE. 

Nicholas Moore, an attorney of London, after 
whom Moreland was named, came over from Eng- 
land in comj^any with Penn, in 1682. He took 
up a large tract of land, embracing the manor of 



BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 217 

Moreland, now Moreland, in Philadelphia, and 
Moreland, in Montgomery Connty. He settled on 
this tract at a place called Green Spring, in the 
vicinity of the present village of Somerton, where 
he erected a dwelling-house near a fine spring of 
water. He was a distinguished Judge and Coun- 
sellor of William Penn, and was Chairman of the 
first Provincial Assembly of Freemen of Pennsyl- 
vania, which convened at Chester in 12th mo., 
1682. In 1684 he was elected a member of the 
Assembly for Philadelphia, and was chosen its 
Speaker, although strongly opposed by a portion 
of that body. On the 4th of the 6th mo., in the 
same year, Penn granted to him, along with four 
others, commissions as Provincial Judges, for two 
years from that date, and he was made the Chief 
Justice of the number. In 1685 he was again 
elected a member of the Assembly, but fell under 
its displeasure, and was impeached as a corrupt 
and aspiring minister of state. As William Penn 
had gone to England, a letter containing the im- 
peachment was transmitted to him, but it did not 
receive his approbation, and in 1686, when he 
changed the Executive Government to a Board of 
Five Commissioners, he appointed Judge Moore 
and two of his former associates as members of 
that board. Moore was retained in this responsible 
position until 1687, and during this whole time he 
appears to have given satisfaction, as we find no 
more said against him. By his course he gained 
the good will of most of his contemporaries, and 
enjoyed the high confidence of William Penn. 

19 



218 THE HISTORY OF 

While he was Judge, he estabh'shed a Court at his 
residence, and erected a jail there for "punishing 
and reforming culprits ;" but it seldom had any 
occupants. Judge Moore was a man of more than 
ordinary abilities, and from the high positions he 
filled, his name has become conspicuously identified 
with the earliest history of Moreland, and will be 
remembered by the people of one of the finest 
agricultural districts in the vicinity. During the 
latter part of his life he was in a languishing con- 
dition, and his pecuniary affairs suffered so much 
that, at his death, in 1689, his estate was much in- 
cumbered, and was afterward disposed of by the 
sheriff, and w^as the first sale of the kind ever made 
in Pennsylvania. He left several children, but we 
find little said of them in the subsequent history. 

JOHN WATTS. 

John Watts was a celebrated surveyor, who re- 
sided during the greater part of his life in Lower 
Dublin. He and his brother Silas were both 
practically acquainted with surveying in all its 
bearings, and did most if not all of that business 
in the townships for many years, and were of great 
use in settling disputed lines. John was a teacher 
of considerable rej)utation, and, for some years 
previous to 1790, taught in Tillyer's school, More- 
land. He was very fond of mathematics, and is 
said to have been among the best in the country. 



BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 219 



DR. EDWARDS. 

Dr. Edwards was born in Byberry, and was 
among her most noted sons. During the Revolu- 
tionary War he was engaged in the cause of his 
country, and, for meritorious conduct, was commis- 
sioned an officer. After peace was established he 
returned to his native place, where he filled several 
public stations with honor and credit. He was 
commissioned a Justice of the Peace, and in that 
capacity was of much service in the neighborhood 
in settling cases to the satisfaction of parties con- 
cerned. Dr. Edwards was the first regular physi- 
cian in Byberry, but he subsequently gave up a 
good practice, and devoted his attention to politics 
and agriculture. In 1792 he sold his farm in By- 
berry and removed to Frankford, after which he 
was a Judge of the Court of Common Pleas in 
Philadelphia — a position which it is said he filled 
creditably. He published some very interesting 
papers on agricultural subjects -, and a charge which 
he delivered to the Grand Jury, while on the Bench, 
was published in the '' American Museum." He 
died in 1802, aged 52 years, 

PETER YARNALL, M.D. 

Dr. Yarnall was born in 1753, and in early life 
resided in Horsham, where he practised medicine 
with great success, and was much respected. In 
1797 he married Hannah Thornton, of Byberry, 
and came to the Thornton homestead, where he 
resided until his death, which occurred after a few 



220 THE HISTORY OF 

days' illness, in 1798, at the age of forty-five years. 
He was an eminent minister among Friends, and 
preached the doctrines of peace and good-will to 
all men, so that the latter part of his life strangely 
contrasted with his early days, when engaged in 
the hostile measures of the Eevolution. 

DR. SWIFT. 

Dr. Swift, an eminent physician, was one of the 
first who resided in Moreland. His contempora- 
ries represent him as a physician of much skill 
and prudence, and as having an extensive practice 
in the vicinity. In him the people placed the great- 
est confidence, and his success in relieving disease 
was remarkable. He died in 1780, lamented by all 
who knew him. 

ANDEEW OTT. 

Andrew Ott was born at Yartzheim, in Ger- 
many, in 1739, and was brought to this country by 
his parents when about five or six years old. They 
landed at Philadelphia, where they staid about six 
weeks, and then moved to a place in the country 
near the Pennj^pack Creek. When the Eevolu- 
tion ary War broke out he enlisted in Washing- 
ton's army, under Captain Douglass. He was in 
the battles of Long Island and Brandywine, and 
at Fort Constitution, on the Hudson, where there 
was some skirmishino;. Soon after the war was 
over he married and settled in By berry, where he 
resided for several years. After this he bought a 
lot of land in Bucks County, where he spent the 



BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 221 

remainder of his days. He had no school learning, 
and could neither read nor write, yet he transacted 
all his business, and seldom made any mistakes. 
He was a plain, industrious, frugal man, a member 
of All-Saints' Church, and was much respected by 
his neighbors. He died in December, 1841, aged 
102 years. 

THOMAS KNOX. 

Thomas Knox came from Ireland, and taught 
school at the Sorrel Horse for several years. After 
this he taught at Smithfield, and for many years 
was a tax collector in Moreland. Many of the old 
people in the vicinity remember old Tommy Knox 
as their teacher. He had a kind disposition ; but 
when the unruly urchins would try the old man's 
patience too much he would. call them up and lay 
them over "the bame" (his knee). He would 
then flourish a ruler over his head, and exclaim at 
the same time with great earnestness : " Were it 
not for the bame overhead, oh ! how I would whack 
ye !'* He died at Somerton about 1840, aged nearly 
ninety years. His daughter married Jesse Haw- 
kins. 

SAMUEL SCOTT. 

Samuel Scott was an old Friend who had a very 
remarkable way of whistling through his nose. 
On one occasion Jeremy Hibbs clothed himself in 
a skin, with horns projecting from his head, and 
placed himself in the bushes by a path where he 
expected Samuel Scott to pass. After Samuel had 

19* 



222 THE HISTORY OF 

gone by a few yards, Jeremy came out and hailed 
him. Samuel gave a whistle through his nose, and 
exclaimed, "Get thee behind me, Satan!" and 
walked on as unconcernedl}^ as if nothing had hap- 
pened. Samuel was a sievemaker by trade, and 
this seems to have been the usual calling of the 
famil}^. The old man frequently wore clogs, or 
wooden shoes, and came very late to meeting one 
morning. Just as he entered the door he happened 
to stumble, and fell down, when the rattling of the 
clogs, and a load whistle through his nose, made a 
great noise, and frightened one fellow, who was 
sound asleep, quite sadly. Samuel got up, however, 
and without showing any signs of being discon- 
certed, went to his seat as usual. The stone in 
Byberry graveyard, marked S. S., indicates the spot 
where Samuel was buried. 

WILLIAM WOOD. 

William Wood came from near London, Eng- 
land, in 1772. He married Merab Pennington, 
and moved to Bybemy. He was a baker, but did 
not follow his trade. Soon after this he removed to 
Makefield and opened a school. While here he 
joined the Society of Friends and became a recom- 
mended preacher. He continued to teach school 
for many years, but afterwards led a roving life, 
and became much reduced before his death. 

DK. BENJAMIN KUSH. 

Dr. Eush was born in the southern part of By- 
berry, at the house now occupied by Reuben Parry, 



BYBERRY AND MOREL AND. 223 

on the 24tli of December, 1745. He was a descend- 
ant of John Eush, who came over with William 
Penn. His father died while he was young, and 
his education devolved upon his mother. He was 
sent to Princeton College, where he graduated 
with the first honors of the institution, and soon 
afterward commenced the study of medicine under 
Dr. John Eodman, of Philadelphia. In 1766, he 
went to Edinburgh to attend medical lectures, and 
received his diploma from the institution at that 
place. In 1769, he returned to Philadelphia, and 
soon obtained an extensive practice. He was af- 
terward a Professor in the Medical Department of 
the University of Pennsylvania. It is not our 
province to write a biography of this distinguished 
man, for he is known to the whole world as one of 
the brightest stars in medical science that has yet 
ornamented the Western World, and his works will 
live as long as does that science with which he was 
connected. He died in April, 1813, aged sixty- 
eight years. Both the Doctor and his brother, the 
Honorable Judge Rush, frequently visited Byberry 
in the latter part of their lives; and the township 
may feel honored in having been the birthplace of 
two such noble men. 

SINIXSON KEE^. 

SiNixsoN Keen was of Swedish descent, and 
born in 1797. When he was but two years old, he 
removed to Frankford with his parents, and some 
years later to Somerton. where he resided for a 
long time. His parents were not possessed of much 



224 THE HISTORY OF 

wealth, and from the peculiar circumstances sur- 
rounding him he was subject to many temptations ; 
but bore up against them successfully. He after- 
ward taught school in Somerton, and became 
noted in his profession. He shot himself in By- 
berry in 1819. 

JAMES BONNEK. 

James Bonner, the first of that name in By- 
berry, emigrated from Ireland, in 1764, at the age 
of twenty-six years. He married Martha Worth- 
ington, of Byberry, and settled in Buckingham, 
Bucks County, but returned to Byberry again in 
1813. He was a man of peaceable demeanor, re- 
spected for his honesty and uprightness, and by 
untiring industry accumulated considerable prop- 
erty. He died in 1818, aged eighty years. 

JUDGE SOMMESS. 

Judge Sommers, the collector, owned a large 
tract of land in the vicinity of Somerton. He was 
a prominent character of that day, and was very 
active in behalf of the cause of liberty. His son 
Edward, afterward an Associate Judge in Phila- 
delj^hia, was a lieutenant in the Continental Army 
during the Eevolution. He was taken prisoner 
early in the contest, and confined in a British 
prison at Flatbush, Long Island, four or five years. 
Although others of the Continental Army were 
either released or exchanged, yet the British re- 
fused to release Lieutenant Sommers. The atten- 
tion of the Govern ment was directed to it, when it 



BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 225 

was ascertained that Jonathan Walton, a refugee, 
whose farm adjoined that of Somrners, had repre- 
sented to the British that young Somrners was a 
man of great influence, and would hang some 
neighbors who were suspected of favoring the 
British cause, if he was released; but the true 
motive was, probably, that Walton, who had no 
doubt of the ultimate success of the British cause, 
and the confiscation of the rebel property, wished 
to keep Sommers out of the way, so that he might 
obtain his estate. The authorities sent an order 
to the British, stating that unless Lieutenant Som- 
mers was released, retaliatory measures would be 
resorted to, and British prisoners subjected to the 
same treatment. He was accordingly released, 
and sent home on parole. While the British were 
in Philadelphia, Walton went with a party to Som- 
mers's farm, and took horses, cows, and other prop- 
erty to the amount of about four hundred dollars, 
besides doing much mischief, such as tearing open 
beds, injuring furniture, &c. 

Soon after the war ended Walton found his way 
to Canada, where he remained for many years. He 
owned at that time about ten acres of land adjoin- 
ing Sommers's place, and he and Sommers agreed 
upon the terms for the property, on which occa- 
sion the latter was to have the deed and money 
ready for Walton at a neighbor's house on a cer- 
tain evening. They met, when the deed was prop- 
erl}^ signed, and all the money, except $400, paid 
over to Walton. This amount was retained to pay 
for the damage received on the above mentioned 



226 THE HISTORY OP 

occasion, and in order to get shut of Walton, he 
was ordered to leave immediately, or information 
would be given, and he be arrested. After the war 
was all over Lieutenant Sommers settled on his 
paternal estate, where he lived to a good old age. 

WILLIAM COOPER. 

The earliest account of the Cooper family that 
we have met with is, that one William Cooper 
arrived in this country in 1679, and settled at Bur- 
lington, New Jersey. His name appears in the 
list of members of the Colonial Legislature for 
168L About the year 1687 he obtained the grant 
of a tract of land where Camden now stands, ex- 
tending for several miles above and below the 
mouth of the creek which bears his name. One 
branch of this family removed into Pennsylvania 
and finally settled in Smithfield, now Somerton, 
where the subject of the present sketch was born, 
in the log end of a house afterward occupied by 
James Yansant as a tavern. Little is known of 
Cooper during his minority, except that he was 
apprenticed to a person in Bj^berry to learn the 
wheelwright business. After his majority, he re- 
sided with his father in the log house in which he 
was born, but the family were exceedingly poor. 
This, however, did not damp the ardor of young 
Cooper, who began to look about for a wife, and 
shortl}^ afterward married the daughter of Eichard 
Fennimore, of New Jersey, on which occasion the 
old man expressed some doubts about Cooper's 
being able to provide for his daughter, when Cooper 



BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 227 

replied "■ that he was poor and she must shift for 
herself' 

After their marriage they settled in Byherry, at 
one time living in a small tenement belonging to 
William Walmsley, and helping about the business 
of the farm. After this they lived in a house near 
Charles Comly's barn, and subsequently in an old 
house on Edward Parry's, now Charles Martin- 
dale's farm, and which was known as the " Pot- 
ter's JS'est." While here he desired to work at his 
trade, but having no shop, James Thornton gave 
him permission to work in one belonging to him. 
This was during the Eevolutionary War, when 
wheelwrights were not in much demand, and 
Cooper was often without employment. He, how- 
ever, did not despair, but at such times offered to 
work for half price at any business, so that he was 
seldom idle. William Cooper was an eccentric 
character, and seldom deliberated upon the course 
to be pursued, but acted entirely from first im- 
pressions, which, he said, " were always the best." 
He possessed a talent for speculation, but with all 
his exertions remained poor while in Byherry. 
About the year 1780 they moved to Burlington, 
New Jersey, where, in partnership with a brother- 
in-law, Robert Thomas, they opened a small store. 
Cooper being in want of money at this time, bor- 
rowed £5 of William Walton, of Byherry, which 
he said was the foundation of his fortune. This 
loan was not paid back until after he was elected 
a member of Congress, when he paid principal and 
compound interest for the whole time. Their busi- 



228 THE HISTORY OF 

ness here was poor, and Cooper turned his atten- 
tion to speculation in real estate. This was in a 
very small way at first, but as he was generally 
successful, he was soon able to make heavier pur- 
chases, and by 1785 had accumulated considerable 
ca2:>ital. In this year he purchased a large tract of 
uncultivated land near Otsego Lake, in ISTew York. 
This he divided into small farms, and offered great 
inducements to emigrants to settle thereon. In 
the spring of 1786 he laid out a town, which he 
called Cooperstown, and in that year erected the 
first house there. At this time there were no set- 
tlements within forty miles of the place, and Coop- 
er left his family at Burlington until 1790, when 
they removed to Cooperstown. While residing 
at the former place, their son, James Fennimore 
Cooper, the celebrated novelist, was born, on the 
15th of September, 1789. 

From prudent management William Cooper dis- 
posed of nearlj^all his purchase, and realized large 
profits, so that he became one of the wealthiest 
citizens of the State of New York. Some idea of 
his business may be had, when we state that over 
forty thousand persons settled on his original tract 
within twenty-five years of the time of purchase. 
When a Court of Justice was established in Otsego 
County, William Cooper was appointed the Pre- 
siding Judge, which position he held until 1796, 
when he was elected a member of the National 
Congress. Judge Cooper was a man of sound 
judgment, but of limited education. His character 
was very decided, and he was seldom deterred from 



BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 229 

carrying out his undertakiDgs by the opinions of 
others. He was something of a writer, and fre- 
quently indulged in poetry, some of which was 
quite popular in that day. He was of a social na- 
ture, and delighted to mingle with congenial coni.- - 
panions, on which occasions he would with^'great 
pleasure narrate the scenes and adventures of his 
varied life. He died at Cooperstown about the 
year 1812, honored and respected by those around 
him. 

JAMES CAKTER. 

James Carter was born in a hip-roofed house 
near Artman's Mill, in Southampton, Bucks county, 
in 1778. His parents were William and Mary Car- 
ter. Mary was a daughter of William Hay hurst, 
who lived on the farm now owned by the heirs of 
Mordecai Carter, near Eocksville, where he owned 
a large tract of land. The name of Hayhurst fre- 
quently occurs in the early history of the neigh- 
borhood. They belonged to Middletown Friends' 
Meeting, and the family have generally been in- 
terred in the Middletown graveyard. Cuthbert 
Hayhurst, or " Uncle Cuddy, '^ as he was called, 
who obtained some notoriety for not being like 
other men, and who died at James Carter's house 
some years since, was a son of William Hayhurst. 
James Carter had two brothers — William, who 
was a minister in the Society of Friends, and set- 
tled near West Philadelphia, and Joseph, who set- 
tled near Eocksville — and one sister, Eebecca, who 
married John Claxton, and settled in Philadelphia. 

20 



230 THE HISTORY OF 

James Carter learned the blacksmith trade with 
John Searl, at the Four-lanes-end, now Attlebor- 
ough, and then removed to Byberry Cross-roads 
to follow his occupation. He lived in the house 
now occupied by William Forrest, and had his 
shop on the opposite side of the road, in what is 
now Thomas Dyer's field. He married Phebe, 
daughter of John Tomlinson, and granddaughter 
of Isaac Carver. He followed his trade until 1819, 
when he purchased a farm in the northern part of 
Byberry, on the banks of the Poquessing, where 
he spent the remainder of his days. His second 
wife was Annie Harding, who is still living, and is 
the oldest inhabitant of Byberry. His children 
were Mordecai, Tacy, Emily, Stephen, Thomas, 
Mary, James, and William. 

James Carter was commissioned a Justice of the 
Peace by Grovernor Simon Snyder, in 1813, and 
from that time to the expiration of his commission 
by the new Constitution, did most of the business 
appertaining to the ofiice in the neighborhood. 
Esquire Carter's integrity and business qualifica- 
tions won the confidence of the people ; and until 
age and infirmity disqualified him for the service, 
he was active in whatever appertained to the wel- 
fare of the community, either in settling disputes 
among his neighbors, in which his judgment was 
rarely called in question, or in whatever was con- 
ducive to the public welfare. He died 8th mo. 8th, 
1860, and was buried in Byberry graveyard. 



BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 231 



JOHN SIMMONS. 

John Simmons, son of Henry SimmoDS, was born 
on his father's farm, near Milford, Bucks County. 
John became a school teacher, and moved to Hor- 
sham, Montgomery County, where he compiled and 
published the " Pennsylvania Primer," in 1794. In 
1795 he removed to Byberry, and in partnership 
with his brother Thomas opened a store. This 
was relinquished in 1798, and he again commenced 
teaching. In 1801 he married a daughter of Henry 
Atherton, and moved to Philadelphia, where he 
published "A Treatise on Farriery" and a Eead- 
ing Book for schools. He died in Philadelphia, in 
1843. 

JOHN MAESHALL. 

John Marshall taught school a short time in 
Byberry, after which he moved to Ancocas, New 
Jersey, where he died, in 1813. 

CHKISTOPHEE SMITH. 

Christopher Smith was born in England, where 
he learned the trade of nail-making. He taught 
school in Byberry from 1784 to 1789, then removed 
to Horsham, where he died, in 1814. 

CHAELES SAYEE. 

Charles Sayre spent the greater part of his life 
in Byberry or Bensalem. He married Hetty, widow 
of Joseph Croasdale. By trade he was a wheel- 
wright, yet for many years he taught school at 



232 THE HISTORY OF 

Xnightsville, Byberry, and near the Eed Lion. He 
contributed numerous articles, principally poeti- 
cal, to the various newspapers of the day, thus 
evincing a creditable talent as a poet. He was of 
a religious turn, and spent much of his time, when 
not engaged at his business, in the fields and woods, 
where he could see and enjoy the works of God. 
He did not aspire to fame, but was contented with 
his little circle of friends, by whom he was respect- 
ed and beloved. He died July 28, 185- aged 51 
years. 



BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 233 



GENEALOGIES. 



THE BOLTON FAMILY.* 

The Bolton family is of ancient British stock. 
At the time of the Conquest it was in possession 
of great landed estates both in Yorkshire and Lan- 
cashire. The name of Bolton, or Bodelton (the 
ancient spelling), is from Boel, a mansion, probably 
implying that it was the principal residence of 
some Saxon Thane. Mr. Bolton traces the ancestry 
of his family to the Lord of Bolton, bow-bearer to 
the Eoyal Forests of Bowland and Gilsland, the 
lineal representative of the Saxon Earls of Murcia, 
and who was living A.D. 1135. Eobert Bolton, his 
descendant in the fifteenth generation, was born at 
Wales, in Yorkshire, in 1688, and died in Philadel- 
phia, in 1742. His descendants are now very nu- 
merous in the United States. We are, however, 
unable to trace the relation between him and Ever- 
ard Bolton, the ancestor of the family whose ge- 
nealogy is here given, yet they are probably from 

* I am indebted to William F. Corbit, of Philadelphia, for the 
greater part of the genealogy of this family. 

20* 



234 THE HISTORY OP 

the same great family. The name of Everard Bol- 
ton occurs only in this branch of the family, and 
it has been so frequently given to its members that 
it has become a sort of inheritance. The Boltons 
were generally followers of George Fox, and nu- 
merous instances are recorded where they suffered, 
while in England, "for conscience' sake and the 
truth." 

(1.) Everard Bolton, his wife Elizabeth, and 
their two eldest children, came to Pennsylvania 
from Boss, in Herefordshire, England, in 1682 or 
1683, and settled in Cheltenham, Pennsylvania, on 
a tract of land a little east of the site of the pres- 
ent village of Milestown. This tract was presented 
to his eldest son in 1711, but the deed of transfer 
was not recorded until 1760. Everard Bolton was 
an active member of the Society of Friends, having 
been Treasurer of Abiogton Meeting for nearly 
forty years. He was much esteemed, and was ap- 
pointed a Justice of the Peace by a Council held at 
Philadelphia, May 30, 1715. Elizabeth Bolton died 
June 5, 1707, and Everard subsequently married 
Margaret, widow of John Jones, a merchant of 
Philadelphia. Everard Bolton died in 1727, leaving 
eleven children, all by his first wife. They were 
Everard, Elizabeth, Hannah, Mary, Samuel, Abel, 
Sarah, Lydia, Isaac, Eebecca, and Martha. Mar- 
garet died in 1742. 

Besides Everard Bolton, we find mention of Ed- 
ward Bolton, who married Eleanor Jones, of Phila- 
delphia, in 1694, but we have met with no further 
account of him or his family. 



BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 235 

(1.) Everard and Elizabeth Bolton's Children. 

(2.) Everard, born in Eoss, England, March 28, 

1680, came to America with his parents. He was 
by trade a glover. In July, 1707, he married Mary, 
daughter of Eobert Naylor, of Plymouth, and set- 
tled in Abington, where he followed his occupa- 
tion. Children : Priscilla, Mary, Elizabeth, and 
Samuel. 

(3.) Elizabeth, born in Eoss, England, June 26, 

1681, came to America with her parents. She mar- 
ried Ellis Davis in 1709, and settled in Cheltenham, 
Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. He died in 
1745, and she died in August, 1749. Children: 
Deborah, born August 3, 1710; David, born March 
11, 1712; Abel, born November 17, 1715; Sibeland 
Hannah, twins, born July 11, 1718; Lj^dia, who 
married John Hurr. 

(4) Hannah, born in Cheltenham, December 22, 
1684, married Eichard Carver, of Byberry, in 1708. 
Children : Mary, born August 15, 1709 ; Ann, born 
October 15, 1710; Sarah, and John. Eichard Car- 
ver died in 1727. 

(5.) Mary, born in Cheltenham, November 4, 
1687, married Edmund Eoberts in 1714. They re- 
moved to the " Great Swamp," near Quakertown, 
Bucks County, and had children, Abel, John, Da- 
vid, Everard, Martha, Mary, and Jane. Of these, 
Martha married John Eoberts in 1742 ; Mary mar- 
ried J. Foulke, and Jane married Thomas Foulke. 

(6.) Samuel, born October 31, 1689, married Sa- 
rah Dillworth. She died in 1732, leaving a por- 



236 THE HISTORY OF 

tion of her estate to Janet, wife of Samuel Bolton. 
He was much esteemed, and Eachel Eoberts, who 
died in 1751, named " her trusty friend, Samuel 
Bolton, of Cheltenham," as her executor. We find 
mention of but one daughter, Hannah, who mar- 
ried John Coombs. He being absent for a number 
of years, she, having first obtained the consent of 
Friends, married John Clark, in 1746. 

(7.) Abel, born November 9, 1691 ; died July 
19, 1702. 

(8.) Sarah, born November 26, 1693, married 
William Bolton. After his death she married Mi- 
chael Brown, in 1751. She died in Front Street, 
above Eace, Philadelphia, but left no children. 

(9.) Lydia, born September 3, 1695, married 
John Biddle, of Philadelphia, in April, 1721. He 
died June 17, 1750, and she died August 16, 1764, 

leaving eleven childi'en: Elizabeth, married 

Pearson; Sarah, born October 19, 1723; Hannah, 

born December 28, 1727, married Waterman, 

and died August 17, 1772; Josiah, born February 
16, 1729; John, born April 16,1730; Abigail, born 
August 16, 1731; Joseph, born July 4, 1733; Ly- 
dia, born March 14, 1735, died June 4, 1773 ; Mary, 
born July 4, 1736 ; John, born November 15, 1738; 
and Martha, born October 27, 1741. 

(10.) Isaac, born June 27, 1697, married Sarah 
Jones in 1724. She was born December 6, 1698. 
In 1722 he removed to Philadelphia, and for sev- 
eral years afterwards resided on the north side of 
Market Street, below Second. In 1750 he removed 
to Abington. He subsequently purchased a large 



BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 237 

tract of land in Bucks County, where he spent the 
remainder of his days. To this tract he gave the 
name of the " Bolton Farm," which name it still 
bears, although it passed from the Bolton family 
eighty years ago. In addition to farming, he dealt 
in skins, and was denominated in law papers of 
that period as " Isaac Bolton, peltsmonger." His 
possessions continuing to increase, he became one 
of the wealthiest men in the Province. He was a 
member of the Society of Friends, yet had no 
scruples against holding slaves, as is shown by the 
following inventory of his estate : 

^' To a negroe woman, named Dinah, £00 0« 
To a negroe man, called Berry, £67 10 0. 
To a negroe woman, named Gate, £35 0. 
To a negroe woman, named Daffane, £45 0. 
To a negroe garle, named Phillis, £22 0." 

They had eight children : Margaret, Eachel, Sa- 
rah, Eebecca, Jemima, Isaac, Joseph, and Everard. 

(11.) Eebecca, born May 20, 1701, was married 
November 4, 1747, to Solomon, son of Dennis 
Eockford, a noted man in the early days of Penn- 
sylvania. They probably had no children. 

(12.) Martha, born May 20, 1703, probably died 
in infancy. 

(2.) Everard and Mary Bolton's Children. 

(13.) Priscilla, married Cornelius, son of Mat- 
thias Conrad, of Germantown, March 29, 1732. 
She died November 22, 1765. Children : Matthew, 
born July 4, 1733 ; Mary, born June 26, 1735; Ev- 



238 THE HISTORY OF 

erard, born July 21, 1741 ; Joseph, born February 
23, 1742 ; Samuel and John, twins, born November 
13, 1744; Susannah, born January 7, 1750. Of 

these children, Samuel married Mary , and 

had children, Sarah, Samuel, Hannah, Ruth, Sam- 
uel, and Cornelius; and John married Sarah , 

and had children, Hannah, Priscilla, Benjamin, 
Esther, Sarah, and John. 

The Conrad family are of German extraction. 
They originally wrote the name Kuriders, the an- 
cestor of the family being Dennis Kunders, who 
settled in Germantown about 1683. 

(14.) Mary, is mentioned in her father's will, but 
we have no other account of her. 

(15.) Elizabeth, was born June 26, 1708. 

(16.) Samuel, married Mary Livezey. He lived 
first in Abington, and afterwards in Byberry, 
where he died September 12, 1757. Children: 
Mary, who married John Paul, and died in 1796, 
and Martha. 

(10.) Isaac and Sarah Bolton's Children. 

(17.) Margaret, born April 6, 1726; died, un- 
married. May, 1817. 

(18.) Eachel, born September 12, 1727; died, 
unmarried, January 1, 1810. 

(19.) Sarah, born September 3, 1729, married, 

first, Massey, of Deer Creek, Maryland, and 

had one son, Isaac. She married, second, James 
Eigby, and had one daughter, Ann. Sarah Eolton 
became a recommended minister in the Society of 
Friends at the early age of 23 years, and subsc- 



BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 239 

quently travelled extensively with Ann Moore and 
Grace Croasdale, both eminent ministers of that 
Society. Many of her letters are still extant, and 
prove her to have been a woman of tender feel- 
ings. She died March 29, 1784, and her husband 
January 6, 1790. 

(20.) Eebecca, was born in Philadelphia, June 
18, 1731. She removed to Abington in 1750. 

(21.) Jemima, born January 27, 1733, married 
Henry Tomlinson November 21, 1753. She died 
May 2, 1802, leaving three children, Sarah, Jemi- 
ma, and Jesse. 

(22.) Isaac, born April 27, 1735, married Sarah, 
daughter of William and Sarah Walmsley, of By- 
berry. He died February 6, 1783. Children : Wil- 
liam, Joseph, Isaac, Mary and Margaret, twins, 
Jesse, Thomas, and Sarah. 

(23.) Joseph, born March 13, 1737, married Eho- 
da, only child of Rebecca Bolton. He died Decem- 
ber 18, 1799 ; she died August 8, 1806. 

(24.) Everard, born October 1, 1739, married, 
first, Deborah, granddaughter of Andrew Griscom, 
a member of the first Provincial Council, in 1683, 
and noted for having built the first brick house in 
Philadelphia. She died in 1801, Everard then 
married Elizabeth Ivins. He died in 1831, leaving 
seven children, all by his first wife : Isaac, Sarah, 
Samuel, Rachel, Aquilla, Abel, and Everard. 

(22,) Isaac and Sarah Bolton's Uliildren. 

(25.) William, born September 12, 1767, was by 
trade a blacksmith, and lived the most of the time 



240 '~ THE HISTORY OF 

in Byberry. He died September 19, 1823, leaving 
one daughter. 

(26.) Joseph, born October 28, 1769, married 
Jane, daughter of Jonathan Knight. He was by 
trade a tailor, and lived near Knight's Mill, in Ey- 
berry, until 1798, when he moved to Frankford. 
He afterwards went to Black Eiver, ]S"ew York, 
where he married a second time. He died there 
in 1852, leaving several children, among whom 
were Tacy, born in 1794, and Isaac, born in 1796. 

(27.) Isaac, born October 7, 1771, married Eliz- 
abeth, daughter of Evan Townsend. He at first 
settled on a farm in Byberry, but afterwards moved 
to Bustleton, and again to Bybeny, where he kept 
a store. Thence he went to Drumore, in Lancaster 
County, where he died in 1853, beloved and re- 
spected by all who knew him. Children : Evan, 
who died at Pennsgrove, Chester County, in 1840 ; 
Jason, Isaac, Sarah, Abi, and Margaret. 

(28.) Mary married Nathan Marshall in 1800. 
He was a blacksmith, and settled in Bustleton, but 
afterwards moved to Concord, Chester County, 
and thence to Black Eiver, 'New York, where he 
died, leaving several children. 

(29.) Margaret, born September 2, 1773, mar- 
ried James Hayton in 1794. She died in 1795. 

(30.) Jesse, born June 30, 1777, studied medicine 
with Dr. Amos Gregg, of Bristol, and died soon af- 
terwards. 

(31.) Thomas married a sister of Henry Comly, 
of Frankford, and afterwards moved to Black 
River, New York. 



BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 241 

(32.) Sarah married William Woodward, of 
Brandywine. 

(24.) Everard and Deborah Bolton's Children. 

(33.) Isaac, born March 23, 1766, married Phebe 
Kay. Children : Eebecca, who married Isaac Bar- 
tram ; Sarah ; Deborah, who married Francis Still- 
man ; and Anna Maria, who married James Smith. 

(34.) Sarah, born December, 1768, died April 7, 
1790. 

(35.) Samuel, born February 6, 1771, married 
Eachel Scull, of Cumberland County, New Jersey, 
who was a descendant of John and Mary Scull, 
emigrants from England in 1700. Samuel Bolton 
was a man of inventive genius, and was quite inti- 
mate with John Fitch. He took out patents for 
several inventions, the models of which were de- 
stroyed by fire when the British burned the public 
buildiugs, at Washington, in 1814. He died April 
7, 1812. Children : Aquilla, Grideon, Eachel, Sarah, 
Joseph E., James Murray, Hannah S., and Samuel. 

(36.) Eachel, born February 15, 1771, died Feb- 
ruary 25, 1789. 

(37.) Aquilla, born in 1773, married, first, Phebe 
Yarnall; second, Alice Babitt. He died in 1858, at 
Dayton, Ohio. Children: Phebe, Denman, Charles, 
Jane, and Mary. 

(38.) Abel J., born September, 1778, died un- 
married in 1858. 

(39.) Everard, born [N'ovember, 1784, married 
Eachel Perkins, and settled in Philadelphia. Chil- 
dren : William P., Everard, and Sarah. 

21 



242 THE HISTORY OP 

(35.) Samuel and Rachel Scull's Children. 

(40.) Aquilla, who married Christiana Auraud, 
and resides at Port Carbon, Pennsylvania. 

(41.) Sarah, born October 11, 1801, married 
Henry C. Corbit, of Philadelphia, a descendant of 
Daniel Corbit, who came from Scotland to Amer- 
ica in 1700, and settled in Delaware. She died 
September 7, 1852, leaving children : Caroline E., 
who married EUerton Perot ; Emma, who married 
Charles S. Ogden; Henry C, who died aged 14 
years ; Everard S., and Charles, who died in in- 
fancy ; William F. ; Helen, who died aged 15 years ; 
and Charles, who married Louisa A. Corbit, of 
Odessa, Delaware. 

(42.) Joseph E., born in 1803, married Sarah 
Jones. Children : Eebecca, who married Edward 
Bohrek ; Anna, Sarah J., Joseph E., Clifton, who 
married Jane Whitelock; Henry C, who married 
Fanny Lippincott ; and Samuel, who was killed at 
the battle of Fair Oaks, Yirginia, in 1862. 

(43.) James Murray, born February 11, 1806, 
married Mary E.English. Children: Emma, Mar}-, 
and Emma Louisa. 

(44.) Hannah S., born September 8, 1807, mar- 
ried Isaac Lloyd. Children : Elizabeth, Bolton, 
Franklin, William, Edwin, Horace, Clement, and 
Fanny. 

(45.) Samuel, born July, 1809, married Hannah 
Sanders. Children : Anna, Gideon S., Thomas, 
Alfred, Eachel, and William. 



BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 243 



THE CAEYEK FAMILY * 

(1.) John Carver, with his brothers, William^ 
Joseph, and Jacob, came to Pennsylvania, from 
England, in 1682. They were all members of the 
Society of Friends. Previous to emigrating from 
England, John married Mary Lane, at the Priory 
of St. Albans. He took up by patent, from Wil- 
liam Penn, 690 acres of land in the northeastern 
part of Byberry, along the Poquessing Creek. It 
included the site of the old homestead, which re- 
mained in the family for six generations, having 
descended successively from father to son, all of 
whom were named John, until 1864. He was a 
maltster by profession, and the "malt-house" was 
continued until the fourth generation, when the 
business became so poor that it was given up. He 
died in 1714. Children : Mary, John, Ann, James, 
and Eichard. 

(1.) John and Mary Carvefs Children. 

(2.) Mary was born in a cave, near Philadelphia, 
five days after the landing of Penn, and was the 
first child of English parentage born in Pennsyl- 
vania. She married Isaac Knight, of Abington, 
and was afterwards a noted minister in the Society 
of Friends. She died 3d mo. 3, 1769, aged 86 years. 
A memorial concerning her was issued by Abing- 

* I am indebted to Watson Comly and Malilon Carver, both of 
Byberry, for the genealogy of this family. 



244 THE HISTORY OP 

ton Monthly Meeting, of which she was a member. 
Some of her descendants still remain in Abington. 

(3.) John inherited apart of the paternal estate 
in Byberry, and like his father, followed the occu- 
pation of a maltster id addition to that of farming. 
The malt-house was about twenty yards south of 
the present Carver Mansion, and was the only 
malt-house in that section of the country. He 
married Isabel Weldon, from the Barony of Ken- 
dal, Ireland. He died 5th mo. 14, 1769. Children : 
John, Ann, and Isaac. 

(4.) Ann married John Duncan. 

(5.) James built the hip-roofed house now owned 
by Thomas Townsend. He married, and had one 
son, Samuel, who moved to Philadelj^hia. He was 
a carpenter, and assisted in building Christ Church, 
in Second Street. 

(6.) EiCHARD married a Conrad, and settled at 
Byberry Cross-roads, where he started the first 
tavern in Byberry. He afterwards moved to Ab- 
ington. Children : Mary, Ann, and two sons. His 
descendants are living near Sumneytown, Cham- 
bersburg, and Chester Yalley. 

(3.) John and Isabel Carver's Children. 

(7.) John, born 7th mo. 30th, 1717, married Ea- 
chel, daughter of Joseph Baylor, of Southampton, 
and settled on the Carver Homestead. He died 
1st mo. 15th, 1791. Children : John, Samuel, Eli, 
Mahlon, Mary, and Rachel. 

(8.) Ann, born 11th mo. 23d, 1719, married Rob- 



BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 245 

ert Heaton, and settled in Byberry. Children : Is- 
abel, Susannah, and John. 

(9.) Isaac, born 2d mo. 22d, 1722, married 
Phebe, daughter of Thomas Walmsley, in 1742. 
He inherited about 200 acres of his father's prop- 
erty, and settled where Eichard Cripps now lives. 
He was somewhat noted as a literary man, and 
taught school for several years near the Byberry 
Meeting-house. He was a wit ; and, having a po- 
etical turn, was called the " Poet Carver." His 
verses were shrewd, often sarcastic, and generally 
had reference to local events transpiring in the 
neighborhood. He died 12th mo. 25, 1786, aged 64 
years. Children : Mary, Nanny, Martha, Phebe, 
and Isabel. 

(7.) John and Bachel Carvefs Cliildren. 

(10.) John, born 10th mo. 26th, 1747, married 
Mary, daughter of Joseph Buckman, of Wrights- 
town, and settled on the homestead in Byberry. 
Children : Martha, Mary, John, Ascenath, Han- 
nah, Sarah, Joseph, and Elizabeth. 

(11.) Samuel, born 12th mo. 2d, 1749, married 
Susan Conrad, of Horsham, and settled where 
Eandall Myers now lives. His occupation was 
that of a carpenter in addition to ftirming. He 
died 4th mo. 10th, 1784. Children : Eli, Priscilla, 
and Eachel. 

(12.) Mahlon, born 7th mo. 18th, 1754, married 
Amy Pickering, of Solebury. He first settled near 
Byberry Meeting-house, where he followed his 
trade of blacksmith. He afterwards kept the 

21^ 



246 THE HISTORY OP 

Anchor Hotel in Wrightstown, and thence moved 
to a hotel at Morrisville, where he died. Children: 
Jane, Rachel, and Sarah. 

(13.) Mary, born 12th mo. 11th, 1758, married 
Thomas Samms, of Byberry. Children : Thomas 
and John. Thomas married Mary Hampton ; their 
children, John H. and Ann. John married Mercy 
Hampton. Children: Mary and Rachel. 

(14.) Rachel, born 1st mo. 24th, 1763; died 
single, 4th mo. 4th, 1834. 

(9.) Isaac and Phebe Carvefs Children. 

(15.) Mary, married Benjamin Taylor, and had 
one daughter, Martha. She married William Tom- 
linson, of Byberry, and had children, Mary, Aaron, 
John, 'James, Phebe, Silas, Benjamin, William, and 
Isaac. 

(16.) I^^ANNY, married John Carver, of Bucking- 
ham, and afterwards moved to Chester County. 
Children : John, Joseph, Isaac, and two daughters. 

(17.) Martha, died single, in 1771. 

(18.) Phebe, married Thomas Tomlinson in 1773. 
They lived back of Smithfield on a farm, which 
they rented for forty years. They were quiet and 
unassuming in their habits, and although not con- 
sidered prosperous in business, they were highly 
respected for their many virtues. Their children : 
Elizabeth, married Benjamin Fields ; Phebe, mar- 
ried James Carter, Esq.; Martha, married John 
Praul; Isabel; Joseph; John, married Martha Wor- 
thington ; Amos; Isaac, married Deborah Kline ; 
Thomas, married Rebecca Kline ; and Silas. 



BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 247 

(19.) Isabel, married John Davis, and had one 
daughter, Phebe, who was married first to Miller 
Duffee, and afterwards to Septimus Tucker. 

(10.) John and Mary Carver's Children. 

(20.) Martha, born 4th mo. 27th, 1772; died 
single, 5th mo. 15, 1818. 

(21.) Mary, born 9th mo. 16th, 1773, married 
William Worthington, of Wrightstown. Children: 
Ascenath, Margaret, Mahlon, Martha, Sarah, and 
John. 

(22.) John, born 2d mo. 28th, 1776, married 
Elizabeth Briggs, of Wrightstown. He died 10th 
mo. 10th, 1849. Children : John, Mahlon, Esther, 
and Eliza. 

(23.) Ascenath, born 3d mo. 23d, 1780, married 
John Townsend, and moved to Jefferson County, 
New York. Children : John, Eobert, Mary, Ezra, 
Martha, Evan, and Abi. 

(24.) Hannah, born 2d mo. 16th, 1782, married 
Benjamin Kirkbride, of Jefferson Count}^, New 
York. Children : George, Sarah, and Benjamin. 

(25.) Sarah, born 8th mo. 29th, 1785, married 
Josiah D. Banes, M.D. Children : S. Eodman, Ea- 
chel, and Mary. 

(26.) Joseph, born 1st mo. 28th, 1788, married 
Esther Wiggins, of Newtown. He was a mason 
by trade, and obtained considerable celebrity on 
account' of his fondness for fun and for playing 
mischievous pranks on his associates. His chil- 
dren were William, Isaac, Louisa, and James. 

(27.) Elizabeth, born 6th mo. 15th, 1790, mar- 



248 THE HISTORY OF 

ried Evan Townsend, Children : Thomas, Jacob, 
Abi, Mary, Mahlon, William, Sarah, and Martha. 

(11.) Samuel and Susan Carvefs Children. 

(28.) Eli, married Martha AYilson. Children: 
George, Samuel, John, Joseph, Mary, Eachel, and 
Eli. 

(29.) Priscilla, died single. 

(30.) Eachel, married James Conrad, of Abing- 
ton. 

(12.) Mahlon and Amy Carvefs Children. 

(31.) Jane, married Philip Sagers. Children : 
Stephen, Amy, Eachel, Mahlon, John, Sarah, and 
William. 

(32.) Eachel, married William Cooper of the 
Falls. Children : Mahlon and Erwin. 

(33.) Sarah, died single. 

(28.) Eli and Martha Carvefs Children. 

(34.) George, married Ann Myers, in 1834. 
Children : Mary, Martha, Jane, Jacob M., Charles 
E., Agnes, Wilmer, and Edwin. 

(35.) Samuel, married Elizabeth Croasdale. 
Children : George, Martha, Hannah, Eachel, John, 
and Eli. 

(36.) John, married Eebecca Whital. Children: 
William, Ann, David, Charles, and George. 

(37.) Joseph, married Sarah Wood, of Ohio. 
Children: Mary, Jane, John, Amos, Phebe Ann, 
Emiline, Harvey, Joseph, Eli, and Adra. 

(38.) Mary, married Amos Croasdale. Children: 
Lydia, Emma, and Martha. 



BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 249 

(39.) Eachel, married William Eeed, of Ohio. 
Children : Levi, David, Mary Elizabeth, Hannah 
Jane, Eli, Amos, Martha, Mary Emma, Wilmer, 
and George. 

(40.) Eli, married Emiline Eogers. Children: 
George, Alexander, and Adra Ann. 

THE BEOTHEES WILLIAM, JOSEPH, AND JACOB. 

(1.) William Carver, brother of (1) John, first 
settled where Edwin Tomlinson now lives, but af- 
terwards traded his farm with Silas Walmsley for 
land in Buckingham, near the Green Tree, receiv- 
ing two acres for one. He was married while in 
England, but his first wife, Jane, died in 1692, 
leaving a daughter, Sarah. William next married 

Mary . Children: William, Joseph, Eachel, 

and Esther. 

(1.) William Carver's Children. 

(2.) Sarah, married John Rush, in 1707. 

(3.) William, married Elizabeth, daughter of 
Henry Walmsley, and moved to Buckingham. 
Children : William, Joseph, John, Jacob, Henry, 
and others. Many of William Carver's descend- 
ants now reside in Buckingham and Wrightstown, 
but we are unable to give any further account of 
them. 

Joseph Carver, brother of (1) John, moved to 
l^orth Carolina, and settled on Carver's Creek, 
'New Garden, where his descendants still reside. 

Jacob Carver, brother of (1) John, died un- 
married, and was buried in the field back of the 



250 THE HISTORY OF 

barn on the Carver homestead, there being no 
graveyards in those days. 

THE COMLT FAMILY.* 

(1.) Henry and Joan Comly, with their son 
Henry, came to Pennsylvania with William Penn 
in 1682. A family tradition says that Henry Comly 
had a brother Walter in England, who possessed a 
valuable estate, but had no children. It is also 
said that a person by the name of John Comly 
came to Pennsylvania from Bristol, England, and 
that he was a soldier in Braddock's army, but we 
have no further account of him. We therefore 
conclude that Henry and Joan Comly were the 
first of that name who came to America, and that 
all of the now very extended family of Comlys are 
descendants from them. They came from Bedmin- 
ster, near Bristol, England, and were members of 
the Society of Friends. Persons by the name of 
Comly are frequently mentioned in the history of 
the persecutions of Friends in England, as having 
suifered imprisonment "for attending religious 
meetings and refusing to swear." Henry Comly 
was a weaver by trade, and settled in Warminster, 
Bucks County, on a tract of 500 acres. In the rec- 
ords of Middletown Meeting, then called "Nesh- 
aminah," we find that "Henry Comly was buried 
ye 14th day of ye 3d mo., 1684." " On the 2d day 

=* I am indebted to Watson Comly, of Byberry, for the geneal- 
ogy of this family. 



BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 251 

of the 12tli mo. of the same year, 1684, at a Monthly 
Meeting of Friends of Tacony and Poetquessink, 
held at John Hart's house, Joseph English request- 
ed a certificate to take* Joan Comly, of the County 
of Bucks, and John Hart was ordered to write and 
sign it on behalf of the Meeting." 

Joseph and Joan, after having published their 
intentions of marriage at two successive meetings, 
" held at ISTeshaminah Creek, and none appearing 
to object," were married " at a Publique meeting 
held at John Otter's, in the presence of twelve 
witnesses, one of them being a Justice of the 
Peace," on the 26th day of ye 2d mo., 1685. The 
witnesses were Mary Eastman, John Otter, Ed- 
ward Bennit, Eobert Hall, John Boy den, Margaret 
Boyden, Naomi Allen, Henry English, James Spen- 
cer, Elizabeth Otter, Eebekah Bennet, John Hust, 
Elizabeth Lundy, and Eobert Eowe. 

Joseph English died 8th mo. 10th, 1686, and his 
widow, Joan, " was buried at the meeting-house at 
Neshaminah, 10th mo. 20th, 1689.^' Thus we find 
that within seven years after the arrival of this 
family in Pennsylvania, the father, mother, and 
stepfather of young Henry died, so that Friends 
were concerned " to extend to him, while yet in 
his minority, their care and assistance." 

Henry, son of Henry and Joan Comly, married 
Agnes, daughter of Eobert and Alice Heaton, 8th 
mo. 17th, 1695. Agnes was born 12th mo. 9th, 
1677. 

* The words "in marriage" are wanting in the original docu- 
ment. 



252 THE HISTORY OP 

The following is a copy of their marriage certi- 
ficate : 

'' Whereas, Henry Comley and Agnes Heaton, 
both of ye County of Bucks and Province of Penn- 
silvania, having declared their intentions of taking 
each other as husband and wife before several pub- 
lick meetings of ye j)eople of God, called Quakers, 
according to ye good order used among themj 
w^hose proceedings therein, after deliberate consid- 
eration thereof, and consent of parties and rela- 
tions concerned being approved by ye said meet- 
ings, and publication thereof having been made 
according to ye law of this Province ; 

'^ Now, these are to certifie all whom it may con- 
cern, yt for ye full determination of their said in- 
tentions, this seventeenth day of ye eighth month, 
in ye year one thousand six hundred and ninety 
and five, they, ye said Henry Comley and Agnes 
Heaton, appeared in a publick and solemn assem- 
blie of ye aforsaid people at ye public meeting- 
house of Friends in Middletown, near Neshamina, 
in ye county and province aforesaid, met together 
for that end and purpose, according to the example 
of ye holy men of God recorded in ye Scriptures 
of Truth — he, the said Henry Comly, taking ye 
said Agnes Heaton by ye hand, did openly declare 
as follows : ' Friends, in ye presence of ye Lord I 
desire you to bear me witness, I take Agnes Heaton 
to be my wife, promising to be to her a loving and 
faithful husband till it please ye Lord by death to 
separate us.' And then and there in ye said as- 
semblie, ye said Agnes Heaton did, in like man- 



BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 



253 



ner, declare as followeth : ' Friends, in ye presence 
of ye Lord, and before you his people, I take my 
friend Henry Comly to be ray husband, promising 
to be a loving and faithful wife till ye Lord by 
death do separate us.' 

" And ye said Henry Comly and Agnes, now his 
wife, as a further confirmation thereof, did then 
and there to these presents set their hands. 

'' Henery Comely. 

" Agnes Comely. 

"And we, whose names are hereunto subscribed 
as witnesses thereto, have also to these P'snts sub- 
scribed our hands ye day and year above written : 

his 



" EOBERT X HeATON, Sr.j 

mark. 

William Paxson, Sr., 
Jonathan Scaife, 
Nicholas Walln, 
Ezra Croasdill, 
Henry Paynter, 
James Paxson, 
William Paxson, Jr., 
Thomas Stackhouse, Sr., 
Martin Wildman, 
Will Darke, 
John Croasdill, 
Stephen Wilson, 
John Scarborough, 
John Bunting, 
John Cowgill, 
»>John HougHj 

22 



John Darke, 
Will Hayhurst, 
John Cutler, 
Peter White, 
Peter Worrell, 
Jane Paxson, 
Mary Paxson, Sr., 
Isabel Cutler, 
Eachel Bunting, 
Sarah Wilson, 
Mary Coat, 
Jane Sands, 
Eachel Pownall, 
Abigail Pownall, 
Elizabeth White, 
Hannah Hough, " 
Mary Paxson," 



264 THE HISTORY OP 

On the 11th of September, 1697, Eobert Heaton 
deeded 300 acres of his estate in the Manor of 
Moreland to his son-in-law, Henry Comely, for the 
consideration of £72 155. This place was called 
Green Brier Spring, and became the residence of 
Henry Comly, in whose family it has since con- 
tinued. 

In the old family Bible brought from England 
by the first Henry Comly, and now in the posses- 
sion of Willet A. Comly, we find the following rec- 
ord of the children of (2) Henry and Agnes Com- 
ly : Mary Comly, born 12th mo. 12th, 1699; Henry 
Comly, born 2d mo. 26th, 1702; Eobert Comly, 
born 4th mo. 12th, 1704 ; John Comly, born 3d mo. 
20th, 1706; Joseph Comly, born Augusts, 1708; 
Walter Comly, born November 12, 1710; Agnes 
Comly, born February 20, 1713; James Comly, 
born June 14, 1715; Isaac Comly, born June 4, 
1717 ; Grace Comly, born January 24, 1721. 

Henry Comly was very active both in civil and 
religious matters, and his name frequently appears 
on the records of the Meeting and in the civil 
affairs of the neighborhood. He died 1st mo. 
(March) 16th, 1727, aged 53 years. His will was 
dated March (1st mo.) 13th, 1727, and by it he 
gave his farm of 292 acres in Warminster to his 
sons Eobert and James. The Moreland estate was 
divided among Henry, Joseph, and Walter, and 
the farm adjoining, now owned by Benjamin Tom- 
linson, was left to John. His personal property 
was appraised 2d mo. 13th, 1727, by Bartholomew 
Iwongstreet and Joseph Gilbert, and in it we find 



BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 255 

the following items : ''A negro girl, £20 ; a negro 
boy, £30." 

Agnes (Heaton) Comly was "■ a woman of small 
stature, possessed of a good stock of common, 
sense, and quite active even in advanced life, so 
that she could perform the duties of her household 
or ride on horseback with nearly as much ease as 
in her youthful days." She died 10th mo. (Decem- 
ber) 30th, 1743, aged 66 years. Her will is dated 
20th of December (10th mo.), 1743. In the ap- 
pj-aisement of her property we find : " One negro, 
Phillis, £28 ; a negro boy, Wallis, £14." 

DESCENDANTS OP MARY, DAUGHTER OF HENRY AND 
AGNES COMLY. 

(1.) Mary Comly married, first, Thomas Har- 
ding, and settled near the Buck, in Bucks County. 
Children: Mary, Thomas, Henry, John, Abraham, 
and Isaac. She married, second, George Randall, 
in 1745. Children: Jacob, George, Sarah, and 
Elizabeth. 

(2.) Mary, daughter of (1) Marj^-, married Isaac 
Stackhouse, of Middletown, in 1743. She died 3d 
mo. 4th, 1782. Children: Thomas, Jonathan, John, 
Isaac, Ann, and Martha. 

Isaac and (2) Mary Stackhouse' s Children, 

(3.) Thomas, married Hannah White. Children: 
Thomas, Isaac, Mary, and Ann. 

(4.) Jonathan, married Grace, daughter of Ste- 
phen Comfort. 



256 THE HISTORY OF 

(5.) John, married Sarah, daughter of Jonathan 
Knight, in 1781. 

(6.) Isaac, married Elizabeth, daughter of Tho- 
mas Townsend, in 1782. 

(7.) Ann, married John Gilbert, in 1768 ; died 
January, 1839. 

(8.) Martha, died single, 3d mo. 4th, 1782. 

DESCENDANTS OF HENRY, SON OF HENRY AND AGNES 

COMLY. 

(1.) Henry Comly, married Phebe, daughter of 
Joseph Gilbert, of Bjberry, 7th mo. 26th, 1728, 
and settled on the old homestead in Moreland. He 
died 9th mo. 21st, 1772, aged 71 years, and Phebe 
died 2d mo. 14th, 1773, aged 72 years. Children : 
Mary, Eachel, Henry, Phebe, Joseph, Jonathan 
and Joshua (twins), and Rebecca. 

(1.) Henry and Phebe Comly' s Children. 

(2.) Mary, born 7th mo. 23d, 1730; died 5th mo. 
8th, 1750. 

(3.) Rachel, born 10th mo. 25th, 1732; died 
single, 8th mo. 6th, 1797. 

(4.) Henry, born 3d mo. 7th, 1734, married Ra- 
chel Strickland. Children : Jonathan, Mary (who 
died in infancy), Phebe, Mary, Rachel, and Sarah, 

(5.) Phebe, born 2d mo. 15th, 1737, married John 
Swift, in 1764. She had one son, Edward, who 
died of typhus fever 12th mo. 28th, 1813, leaving 
a widow and several children. Phebe died Ist mo. 
2d, 1814, aged nearl}^ 76 years. 



BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 257 

(6.) Joseph, born 3d mo. 10th, 1740, married El- 
eanor Buzby. In the Eevolutionary War he joined 
the British, and in consequence, had to leave the 
neighborhood. He went to Long Island, where he 
died at Thomas Hallet's house, 8th mo. 10th, 1788. 
It is believed that his estate was confiscated. Chil- 
dren : Jesse, and Henry and Jacob (twins). 

(7.) Jonathan, born 1st mo. 25th, 1741, married 
Eachel, daughter of Jonathan Thomas, in 1767. 
They first settled on property now owned by Ben- 
jamin Tomlinson, but in 1788 went to Philadelphia. 
In 1795 they returned to the farm in Moreland, 
where Eachel died 4th mo. 18th, 1804. Children ; 
Thomas, Grace, Henry (all of whom probably died 
young), Jonathan, Joshua, and Elizabeth. 

(8.) Joshua, born 1st mo. 25th, 1741, married 
Catharine, daughter of Samuel and Elizabeth Wil- 
let, in 1766. He was very useful in the affairs of 
the neighborhood, and was for many years a Jus- 
tice of the Peace, in which position his correct 
judgment and honesty of purpose gained him many 
friends. He died 4th mo. 20th, 1830, aged 89 years ; 
and Catharine, his wife, died 7th mo. 30tb, 1826, 
aged 76 years. Children: Eebecca, Elizabeth, 
Mary, Phebe, Hannah, Margaret, Joshua and Sam- 
uel (twins), Elizabeth, James, Willet, and Frank- 
lin. 

(9.) Eebecca, born 8th mo. 6th, 1746; no further 
account. 

(4.) Henry and Rachel Comly's Children. 

(10.) JonathaNj was born 12th mo. 3d, 1756. He 

22* 



258 THE HISTORY OF 

was thrown from his horse while a young man, by 
which his faculties were injured. He remained 
single, and died at his uncle Joshua Comly's house 
9th mo. 26th, 1822. 

(11.) Phebe, born 12th mo. 10th, 1758, married 
Eobert Field. Children : Benjamin and Levi. 

(12.) Mary, born 1st mo. 26th, 1761, married 
Humphrey Waterman. She died 8th mo. 27th, 
1817, leaving one son, Gilbert. 

(13.) Eachel, born 11th mo. 29th, 1766, married 
Eli Shoemaker. She was an authoress, and con- 
tributed several poetical essays to the " Saturday 
Evening Post," over the signature of " Ellen. '^ A 
volume of her essays, called " The Minstrel's 
Lyre," was published in Philadelphia in 1827. 

(14.) Sarah, born 8th mo. 17th, 1768, married 
James Cooper, uncle of James Fennimore Cooper, 
in 1792. They removed to the northern part of the 
State of New York. She died in 1827, aged 59 
years. Children : Courtland Comly, William, 
James, Henry, Sarah Ann, Hamilton, George, and 
Strickland. 

(6.) Joseph and Eleanor Comly's Children. 

(15.) Jesse, married Tacy Buzby and settled on 
a part of the old Comly tract in Moreland, where 
he died 11th mo. 18, 1832. Children : William B., 
Eleanor, Courtland, Benjamin, Mary Ann, Jackson 
P., and Eobert. 

(16.) Henry, married Eebecca, daughter of Gen- 
eral Worrell, of Frankford. He died 5th mo. 17th, 



BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 259 

1822. Children : James, Elizabeth, Isaac, Eleanor, 
and Joseph H. 

(17.) Jacob, left no children. 

(7.) Jonathan and Machel Comly's Children. 

(18.) Jonathan, married Elizabeth Blakey, and 
had one son, William. They resided for several 
years where Benjamin Tomlinson now lives, but 
afterwards settled in Byberry. He was a man of 
uprightness and integrity, and was respected by 
all who knew him. He was remarkably even-tem- 
pered, and in his latter days never appeared to be 
discomposed or irritated. He said that he did not 
meet with anything worth being angry about. The 
harmony which existed between him and his twin 
brother Joshua was such, that for many years, sel- 
dom a day passed without their being together. 
He died 4th mo. 16th, 1826, aged 84 years, and was 
buried at Byberry. 

(19.) Joshua, married — = — . Children : Jona- 
than, Thomas, Greorge W., and Harriet. 

(20.) Elizabeth, married Dr. John Worth ing- 
ton. Children : Eachel, who married Amos Wil- 
son ; Eobert ; Mary Elizabeth, who married Samuel 
Williams; and Jonathan, who was drowned at 
Bridgewater. 

(8.) Joshua and Catharine Comly^s Children. 

(21.) Eebecca, born 2d mo. 5th, 1767; died 2d mo. 
1st, 1768. 

(22.) Elizabeth, born 12th mo. 28th, 1769; died 
6th mo. 21st, 1784. 



260 THE HISTORY OF 

(23.) Mary, born 1st mo. 13th, 1772; died 9th 
mo. 12th, 1792. 

(24.) Phebe, born 8th mo. 19th, 1774, married 
Elijah Thomas. Of their children, Sarah only re- 
mains. She married John Walton, who owns the 
mill at Huntingdon Yalley. Phebe was buried at 
Abington 11th mo. 22d, 1843. 

(25.) Hannah, born 6th mo. 2d, 1777, married 
Walter Mitchell, of Middletown, in 1799. She was 
a minister in the Society of Friends, and died in 
Ohio. Children : Charles, who was a member of 
Congress; Joshua, James, Walter, Mary, Catha- 
rine, and Hannah. 

(26.) Margaret, born 8th mo. 15th, 1780, mar- 
ried Joseph Ogelby, and settled in Lancaster. 
Children : Charles, Willet Comly, Joseph, Joshua, 
Samuel, Franklin, Susan, and Mary. 

(27.) Joshua and Samuel (twins), were born 
11th mo. 28th, 1783. Joshua died the same day. 
Samuel married Sarah, daughter of Eyner Lukens. 
He died 8th mo. 2d, 1835, without children. 

(28.) Elizabeth, born 8th mo. 28th, 1785 ; died 
same day. 

(29.) James, born 10th mo. 23d, 1787, married 
Eliza Eyre, and first settled at Walton's Mill, on 
the Pennypack. This he sold in 1831, and bought 
a farm near the Fox-chase, where he resided until 
his death, in 1837. He was a member of the Penn- 
sylvania Legislature, and a Justice of the Peace, 
and was held in high estimation by those who 
knew him. Children : Franklin (President of the 



BYBERRY AND MO.RELAND. 261 

North Pennsylvania Eailroad Company), Joshua, 
Samuel, and Sarah. 

(30.) WiLLET, born 1790 ; died 8th mo. 23d, 1797. 

(31.) Franklin, born 7th mo. 18th, 1794, mar- 
ried, first, Mary Austin, in 1825, and settled on the 
old Comly homestead in Moreland, where he re- 
sided during the remainder of his life. Children : 
Willet, Ellen, and Anna. Mary died 6th mo. 25th, 
1834, and in 1836 Franklin married, second, Martha 
Downing, of Bristol. He was Prothonotary of the 
District Court in Philadelphia, and for many years 
a Justice of the Peace and President of the Inde- 
pendent Mutual Fire Insurance Company. Few 
men occupied a more prominent position in the 
civil and political affairs of the neighborhood, and 
none were more highly respected for uprightness 
and integrity than Franklin Comly. 



DESCENDANTS OF ROBERT, SON OF HENRY AND AGNES 

COMLY. 

(1.) PoBERT Comly was born in Byberry, in 
1706. He married Jane Cadwalader, the preacher, 
at Horsham, 9th mo., 1727, and settled in Byberry, 
where he remained until 1730. He then moved to 
Warminster, and afterwards to Horsham, to a 
place since owned by Isaac Parry. He was for 
many years an Overseer in Horsham Meeting, and 
was a much respected member. He died 3d mo., 
1770, aged 66 years. Children : Robert, Agnes, 
Jane, Grace, Martha, and Mary. 



262 THE HISTORY OF 

(1.) Robert and Jane Comly's Children. 

(2.) Robert, born 10th mo., 1729, married Sarah 
Jones. Children : Ezra, John, Eobert, Nathan, 
Clement, Sarah, Agnes, Jane, Rebecca, Charlotte, 
Hannah, Susan, and Elizabeth. 

(3.) Agnes, married Samuel Shoemaker, near 
the Billet, where they resided 62 years. They 
were exemplary members of society, and having 
abundant means, provided for many destitute or- 
phans and others in needy circumstances. Robert 
died in his 97th year, and Agnes in her 90th year. 
They left no children. 

(4.) Jane, married Nathan Lukens. Children : 
Lydia, Abraham, Agnes, and Nathan. 

(5.) Grace, married, first, Isaac Parry, of Hor- 
sham. Children : Amy, Isaac, Samuel, Robert, Jo- 
seph, and Martha. She married, second, Samuel 
Conard, of Horsham. She died of cancer at Jesse 
Wilson's, in Byberry, 7th mo. 22d, 1822, aged 75 
years. 

(6.) Martha, married, first, David Parry. They 
lived at Fair Hill, and had one child, David. She 
married, second, John Shoemaker, of Shoemaker- 
town ; no children. David married Elizabeth, 
daughter of Mordecai Thomas, of Horsham, leav- 
ing five children. 

(7.) Mary, married Benjamin Shoemaker, of 
Cheltenham. She died 3d mo. 17th, 1793. Chil- 
dren: Levi S., Robert, Nathan, Abraham, Ben- 
jamin, Amy, Mary, Samuel, Eli, Jane, Jacob, Re- 
becca, James, and Comly. 



BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 263 

(2.) Robert and Sarah Comly's Children. 

(8.) Ezra, married Hannah Iredell, in 1779, and 
had sixteen children : Charles, Sarah, Hannah, 
Eobert, Abraham, Gaynor, Ezra, Thomas, Each el, 
Eebecca, Tacy, Ann, Iredell, George, Seth, and 
Martha. Of the descendants of Ezra Comly we 
know but little. His son Charles was a merchant 
in Philadelphia, and afterwards moved to Milton, 
on the Susquehanna, where he died in 1840, leav- 
ing the following children : Lucy, Joshua, Charles, 
Seth, and Aaron. Ezra died at his son Charles's, 
in 1832, aged 78 years. 

(9.) John, married Martha Shallcross, and set- 
tled on the Bristol Eoad, near Frankford. Chil- 
dren : Samuel, John W., Eobert, Thomas, and Jo- 
seph. 

(10.) Eobert, went with the refugees to ]S"ova 
Scotia, where he died in 1837. Children : Eobert, 
John, and Elizabeth. 

(11.) Nathan, married, first, Sarah Kirk, 9th 
mo., 1782, and lived on the Welsh Eoad, near Hor- 
sham. Children : Elizabeth, Sarah, who married 
John Tyson, Lydia, Agnes, and Jerusha, who mar- 
ried Jesse Tomlinson. He married, second, Eliza- 
beth Marple, 9th mo., 1795. Children : Elizabeth, 
who married Benjamin Cadwalader ; Abuer, who 
married Margaret Hallowell ; Lydia, who married 
Ezekiel Tyson; Hannah; Nathan; John M., who 
married Mary Ann Tyson ; Daniel, who married 
Catharine Fitzwater; and Joseph, who married 
Elizabeth Cadwalader. 



264 THE HISTORY OF 

(12.) Clement, married Eebecca Jones. Chil- 
dren : Isaac, Henry, Ann, Keziah, Zebedee, Sarah, 
Clement, Amos, Joseph, and Alfred. 

(13.) Sarah, married Isaac Wood. 

(14.) Agnes, died single. 

(15.) Jane, married Joseph Eatcliff. Children : 
John, Eobert, Seth, Eodolph, William, Sarah, Ee- 
becca, and Susan. 

(16.) Eebecca, married Dennis Conard. Chil- 
dren : Martha and George. 

(17.) Charlotte, married Thomas Ashton. Chil- 
dren : Sarah, Mary, Joseph, and Elizabeth. 

(18.) Hannah, married, first, John Eush. Chil- 
dren : Elizabeth, Martha, Sarah, Hannah, Louisa, 
and Mar}^. She married, second, Ashton. 

(19.) Susan, married Dr. Van Court, but had no 
children. 

(20.) Elizabeth, married Benjamin Grifiith. 
Children : Benjamin, Samuel, and Comly. 

Nathan and (4) Jane Lukens's Children. 

(21.) Lydia, married Thomas Livezey, of Spring 
Mills, Montgomery County, Pennsjdvania. 

(22.) Abraham, married, and live^ in PhiladeL 
phia. 

(23.) Agnes, married Jackson, and lived in 

Philadelphia. 

(24.) Nathan, married Matilda Bracken, and 
Uved iu Hoirsham. 



BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 265 

Isaac and (5) Grace Parry's Children. 

(25.) Amy, married Jesse Wilson. Children : 
Kachel, Elizabeth, Amos, Grace, and Jane. 

(26.) Isaac, married Euth Conard, and lived in 
Philadelphia. 

(27.) Samuel, married Martha Thomas, and had 
one child, Samuel. 

(28.) Egbert, married, first, Sarah Page; sec- 
ond, Sarah Pope. 

(29.) Joseph, married Sarah, daughter of Bay- 
lor Webster. He first settled in Horsham, but 
afterwards went out West. 

Benjamin and (7) Mary Shoemaker's Children. 

(30.) Nathan, married Sarah, daughter of Solo- 
mon Miller. He was a tanner by trade. They left 
seven children. 

(31.) EoBERT, married Martha Leech, and lived 
in Philadelphia. He died in early life. Children : 
Eichard M., and two others. 

(32.) Benjamin, married Jane Allen, of Bucks 
County, and left four children. 

(33.) Amy, married Benjamin Harper. She died 
young, leaving one child. 

(34.) Mary, married Thomas Shoemaker. Chil- 
dren : Dr. N. Shoemaker, and two others. 

(35.) Eli, married Eachel Comly, of Byberry. 
He died young, leaving one child. 

(36) Eebecca, married Atkinson Eose, and left 
three sons, of whom John S. Eose, of Frankford, 
was one. 

23 



266 THE HISTORY OF 

(37.) CoMLY, married the daughter of Albrick 
Bird, and widow of George Shoemaker, Jr., but 
had no ciiildren. They lived near Shoemakertown. 

(38.) Jane, married Anthony, son of William Hal- 
lowell, of Abingtou. Children : Benjamin, Mary 
S. (Lippincott), Caleb, James, and Joseph, the lat- 
ter two deceased. 

(9.) John and Martha Comly^s Children. 

(39.) Samuel, established the Comlyville Print- 
works, near Frankford. He married Elizabeth 
Ann Folwell. Children : Nathan Folwell, Samuel, 
Eebecca, John, Eobert, Thomas, Joseph, William 
Folwell, Stephen Girard, Mary Pancoast, and Eliz- 
abeth Ann. 

(40.) John W., moved to the West. 

(41.) Egbert, married Esther Shallcross, and 
lived in Oxford Township, Philadelphia. 

(42.) Thomas and Joseph, deceased, without 
children. 

descendants of JOHN, SON OF HENRY AND AGNES 

COMLY. 

(1.) John Comly was born 3d mo. 20th, 1706. 
He married Hannah, daughter of Benjamin Mason, 
of Fair Hill, 4th mo. 20th, 1728. They first set- 
tled on the farm now owned by Benjamin Tomlin- 
son, in Moreland. In 1738 he exchanged with his 
brother, James, for a farm on the County Line. In 
1754 he obtained a certificate for himself and fam- 
ily to Falls Monthly Meeting. He afterwards lived 
on Walter Comly's farm, near Smithfield, and sub- 



BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 267 

sequently between Frankford and Germantown, 
where he died, 1st mo. 15th, 1761, and was buried 
at Frankford, He was not successful in business, 
and left but little property behind him. Hannah, 
his wife, was born 3d mo. 31st, 1710, and died at the 
residence of her son Jacob, in Byberry, 12th mo. 
8th, 1782. Children : Abigail, Henry, Abraham, 
Isaac, Agnes, Jacob, John, Hannah, Mary, Gaynor, 
and Susanna. 

(1.) John and Hamiah Comly^s Children. 

(2.) Abigail, born 6th mo. 16th, 1730; died at 
her brother's residence in York County, 5th mo. 
12th, 1812. 

(3) Henry, born 12th mo., 1731; died in 1756. 

(4.) Abraham, born 12th mo. 1733, was married 
in 1763. He died of yellow fever, in 1793. Chil- 
dren: Benjamin and John. They were both noted 
as skilful watermen . about Camden and Cooper's 
Point, and both left families. 

(5.) Isaac, born 1st mo. 13th, 1735, married Sa- 
rah Huston, 10th mo., 1761, and settled near Dar- 
by, where he died, in 1812. Children: Timothy, 
John, Isaac, Joseph, Isaiah, Israel, Charles, Mary, 
and Hannah. 

(6.) Agnes, born 3d mo. 13th, 1738; died in 1760. 

(7.) Jacob, born 3d mo. 17th, 1740, married Sa- 
rah Thornburg, of York County, Pennsylvania. 
They first lived in Philadelphia; then at a mill on 
the Penny pack, and next on a farm in Byberry. 
He subsequently removed to Huntingdon, in York 
County, where he died, 6th mo. 21st, 1821, aged 82 



268 THE HISTORY OF 

years. His wife died a few years previous. Chil- 
dren : Samuel, Jesse, and Susanna. 

(8.) John, born 1st mo. 13th, 1743, married Mary 
. They first settled in Byberry, but after- 
wards moved to Drinker's Alley, in Philadelphia, 
where he died, in 1792, aged 49 years. Mary died 
11th mo. 21st, 1819. Children: David, Eichard, 
Abigail, and Mary. 

(9.) Hannah, born 7th mo. 11th, 1746; died in 
1760. 

(10) Mary, born 9th mo. 9th, 1747, married 

Hobinson, and lived in Brewer's AUej^-, Philadel- 
phia. She died 12th mo. 1, 1828, aged 81 years, 
leaving one child, Mary. 

(11) Gaynor, born 7th mo. 15th, 1751; died 
young. 

(12) Susanna, born 5th mo. 4th, 1753, married 
Christopher Smith, a schoolmaster, in 1780, and 
died the next year. 

(5.) Isaac and Sarah Comly's Children. 

(13.) John, died of small-pox, aged 22 years, 
leaving one daughter. 

(14.) Isaac, died at Plymouth, in 1812, leaving 
several children. 

(15.) Mary, married Perot. 

(16.) Hannah, married Lawrence Lowry. 

(7.) Jacob and Sarah Comly's Children. 

(17.) Samuel, married Susanna Wireman. He 
removed to Washington County, Pennsylvania, in 
1837, and remained there until his death. His 



BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 269 

children were Sarah, Ezra. Hannah, Phebe, Lydia, 
William, and Isaac. 

(18.) Jesse, married Naomi Howell. He re- 
moved to Juniata in 1833. Children : Jacob, Jo- 
seph, Benjamin, Samuel, Ellen, Jesse, and John. 

(19.) Susanna married Wierman. Chil- 
dren : Thomas, Hannah, and Sarah. 

DESCENDANTS OF JOSEPH, SON OF HENRY AND AGNES 

COMLY. 

(1.) Joseph Comly, was born 8th mo. 8th, 1708. 
He married Elizabeth, daughter of Benjamin Mason, 
and settled in Moreland, on a farm lately owned by 
Judge Sommers, about 1730. He was remarkably 
healthy, and was never sick except it was for a 
few days previous to his death. He was very fond 
of strong drink, and frequently drank a quart of 
rum at one time without becoming intoxicated. 
This he always called " small beer.'^ He wore 
stockings without any feet, and went without a 
coat or upper jacket in winter-time. He removed 
to Gunpowder, Md., and not asking for a certificate 
from Byberry Monthly Meeting, of which he was 
a member, they, in 1759, sent one after him. Pre- 
vious to this time he had sold his farm, and in old 
age owned no property. In 1774, he went to Joshua 
Comly's house apparently in good health, but said 
he was come to die in his old lodging-room over 
the kitchen. Shortly afterward he was taken sick, 
and died in about four weeks from the time of his 
arrival there, at the age of sixty-six years. During 
his illness his mind was composed, and he had no 

23* 



270 THE HISTORY OP 

fear of death. He said he never swore an oath in 
his life, never wronged any man out of a penny, 
and never told a falsehood to the injury of any per- 
son. Some who were well acquainted with him 
said they had no reason to doubt his assertions. 
How many who have made far greater pretensions 
towards possessing religion than he, could with 
truth adopt the language of Joseph Comly ? He 
was very strong : could put a barrel of cider in a 
wagon with ease, and take one that was full on his 
knees and drink out of the bung. His vocal powers 
were astonishing. On one occasion some of his 
family started to go to market in the night, but 
after they had been gone some time the old man 
recollected he had forgotten to send for a keg of 
nails by them; he, therefore, called to them and 
mentioned what he wanted. They heard him, al- 
though three miles off, and attended to his request. 
When going to visit his relations he would, when 
within about two miles, call to them, that they 
might know he was coming. He was a great 
walker, and always went to Gunpowder on foot, 
which he called an evening's walk. When making 
the journey he carried his bread, cheese, and a 
bottle of rum, and ate, drank, and slept by the 
roadside. His wife died about 1757, and he died 
6 mo. 21, 1774, aged 66 years. 

(1.) Joseph and Elizabeth Comly' s Children. 

(2.) Agnes, born 4th mo. 2d, 1732, married Evan 
Eoberts. 



BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 271 

(3.) Abigail, born 8th mo. 15th, 1733, married 
David Hallowell. 

(4.) Joseph, born 1st mo. 9th, 1735, married 
Eachel Edwards, and had one daughter, "Dumb 
Beck}'-/' He was a soldier in the French and In- 
dian War in 1755, but escaped unhurt. He died 
in Byberry 2d mo. 19th, 1811. Eachel died 4th 
mo. 9th, 1815. 

(5.) Eichard, born 4th mo. Ist, 1737, was a 
soldier in the French and Indian War, and during 
the famous retreat of Braddock was taken sick. 
He was left sitting on a log, and was never heard 
of afterwards. 

(6.) Susanna, born 5th mo. 15th, 1740, married 
Samuel Shute. She died in 1802. 

(7.) Walter, born 11th mo. 13th, 1742; no fur- 
ther account. 

(8.) Benjamin, born 2d mo. 17th, 1744; no fur- 
ther account. 

(9.) Elizabeth, born 1st mo. 8th, 1746, married 
Benjamin Tomlinson, and moved to Huntingdon, 
York County, Pa., where she died in 1817, aged 
70 years. 

(10.) Sarah, born 12th mo. 28th, 1748; died 
single, 4th mo. 9th, 1810, aged 60 years. 



descendants op WALTER, SON OF HENRY AND AGNES 

COMLY. 

(1.) Walter Comly married Susanna, daughter 
of Benjamin Mason, 1st mo., 1731. He settled on 
a farm in Moreland, now owned by John Linger- 



272 THE HISTORY OF 

man, but afterwards purchased the farm back of 
Somerton, now belonging to William T. Ervin, 
where he died 3d mo. 20th, 1759, aged 49 years. 
Susanna, his widow married William Walmsley, 
6th mo., 1764. She died 5th mo. 30th, 1795, aged 
81 years, having been an Elder in Bj^berry meet- 
ing forty -two years. 

(1.) Walter and Susanna Comly's CJiildren, 

(2.) Walter; no account. 

(3.) Susanna ; no account. 

(4.) Thomas, who died young. 

(5.) Martha, born Ist mo. 20th, 1746, married 
Silas Walmsley, 6th mo., 1765. Children : William, 
Jesse, and Silas. 

Silas and (5) Martha Walmsley's Children. 

(6.) William, born 7th mo. 18th, 1766, married, 
first, Phebe, daughter of Giles Knight. She died 
8th mo. 18th, 1808. Children: Silas, Ann, and 
Martha. William married, second, Margery, 
daughter of Evan Townsend. Children ; Robert 
and Jesse, 

(7.) Jesse, married Mary, daughter of James 
Paul. Children : Martha, James, Susanna, Eliza- 
beth, Ezra, Hannah, and Mary. 

descendants of AGNES, DAUGHTER OF HENRY AND 
AGNES COMLY. 

(1.) Agnes Comly, married Nicholas Eandall,in 
1738. They lived on Duffield's farm in Morelaud 



BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 273 

for several years. She died, 9th mo. 22d, 1779, 
and he died in 1783. Children : Comly, Thomas, 
Jonathan, ]N'athan, Eachel, Thomas, Mary, and 
[N^icholas. 

Nicholas and (1) Agnes BandalVs Children. 

(2.) CoMLY, born 12th mo. 9th, 1738 ; married 
Mary Phinny, in 1763. Children: Agnes, Martha, 
and Jonathan. 

(3.) Thomas, born 8th mo. 10th, 1740, died in 
1743. 

(4.) Jonathan, born 3d mo. 17th, 1742, died in 
1748. 

(5.) Nathan, born 8th mo. 12th, 1743, died in 
1748. 

(6.) Eachel, born 11th mo. 21st, 1745, died in 
1748. 

(7.) Thomas, born 5th mo. 13th, 1748, died in 
1783. 

(8.) Mary, born 12th mo. 22d, 1751, married 
Joshua Gilbert in 1771. They settled on a farm 
in Byberry, now owned by Thomas James. Mary 
died 3d mo. 13th, 1812, aged 60 years, and Joshua 
died 6th mo. 18th, 1833, aged 86 years. Chil- 
dren : Phebe, Benjamin, Tacy, Thomas, Joshua, 
David, and Beulah. 

(9.) Nicholas, married Hannah, daughter of 
Thomas Townsend. Children : Thomas, Jesse, 
Agnes, who married Jacob Myers, and Mary, 
who married David Clayton. 



274 THE HISTORY OF 



DESCENDANTS OF JAMES, SON OF HENRY AND AGNES 

COMLY. 

(1.) James Comly, married Mary, daughter of 
John Paul, in 1738. Mary was born 1st mo. 28th, 
1718. She was an approved minister in the Soci- 
ety of Friends. They first settled in Warminster, 
but in 1758 removed to Gunpowder, Maryland. 
After the death of James, Mary returned to By- 
berry, where she frequently preached. Children : 
Jacob, James, David, Jonathan, John, Eachel, and 
Mary. 

(1.) James and Mary Comly' s Children. 

(2.) Jacob, born 11th mo. 8th, 1738, returned 
from Maryland in 1770, and married Eachel, widow 
of his cousin, Henry Comly. For many years he 
kept a hotel on the turnpike below Somerton, late 
the Leedom estate. He afterwards moved to 
Philadelphia, and, with the consent of such heirs 
as could be found, obtained the city lot granted 
to Henry Comly by William Peun. He died near 
Abington, 9th mo. 21st, 1825, aged 87 years, leav- 
ino' no children. 

(3.) James, married Charity Hooker of Mary- 
land. Children : John ; Mary, who married Nicho- 
las Merryman, of Jeiferson County, Ohio; Joshua, 
who moved to Madison, Indiana; Charitj^, who 
married Mordecai Price, near Baltimore, Mary- 
land; David, who died near Baltimore; Nancy, 
who married Pettyford, of Baltimore; Eliza- 
beth and Dobino, both deceased ; Sabret and James, 



BY BERRY AND MORELAND. 275 

who married daughters of David Comly, near Lan- 
caster, Kentucky; Sally, married Doughty; 

Eachel, married to Johnson; and Eleanor, who 
married her cousin Absalom, of Madison, Indiana. 

(4.) David, moved to Madison, Indiana. Chil- 
dren : John, Absalom, James, and three daughters. 

(5.) Jonathan, died unmarried. 

(6.) John, moved to Ohio. Children : Eachel, 
Mary, Hannah, Sarah, Eleanor, Eebecca, James, 
John, Joshua, and David. 



DESCENDANTS OF ISAAC, SON OF HENRY AND AGNES 

COMLY. 

(1.) Isaac Comly, was born in Moreland, in 
1715. He married Abigail, daughter of Thomas 
Walmsley, 2d mo., 1738, and settled in the village 
of Smithfieid. He lived in a hip-roofed house, 
which had, on a stone in the wall near the door, 
the inscription, " I. C, 1744." This house was re- 
moved only a few years since, having stood nearly 
one hundred years. They afterward moved to a 
place near the present residence of Silas Yanars- 
dalen, where Isaac died, in 1748, aged thirty-three 
years. 

He was a blacksmith by trade, and followed that 
business through life. His children were Agnes; 
Isaac, born in 1741, died in 1743; Isaac, and Wil- 
liam. Abigail, his widow, married Eichard Walton, 
in 1753. Children : Joseph, born in 1754, and Es- 
ther, born in 1755. 



276 THE HISTORY OF 

(1.) Isaac and Abigail Comly's CJiildren. 

(2.) Agnes, born 11th mo. 2d, 1738, married 
John Duncan, in 1759. He died 10th mo. 6th, 
1772, aged 51 years. Children : Abigail, Rachel, 
Esther, and Phebe. In 1793, Agnes married An- 
drew Singley, of White Sheet Bay, on the Dela- 
ware. He died in 1814, aged 72 years ; and Agnes 
died in 1821, aged 83 years. 

(3.) Isaac, was born at Smithfield, 9th mo. 25th, 
1743. When about five years old he lost his father. 
After this event he and his mother went to live 
with her father on the farm lately owned by 
Charles Walmsley. In 1753, his mother married 
Eichard Walton, and he resided in that family un- 
til 1771, when he married Asenath, daughter of 
John and Ann Hampton, of Wrightstown. They 
took a farm in the western part of Byberry, where 
they resided two years, after which they purchased 
of Thomas Knight a farm of about one hundred 
and forty acres, near the centre of Byberry, where 
they permanently settled. By a regular course of 
Industry and economy, Isaac and Asenath Comly 
accumulated considerable property and brought 
up a large family of children, most of whom have 
since figured conspicuously in th« affairs of the 
township of Byberry. Isaac Comly was not am- 
bitious of fame, and never sought after popularity, 
his object being to attend to his own business, 
leaving to others the cares and responsibilities of 
public life. He was a member of the religious So- 
ciety of Friends, and always bore an unexception- 



BYBERRY AND MORE.LAND. 277 

able character among them. His wife was an Elder 
in the Meeting, and was much respected. Their 
children were Martha, John, Joseph, Isaac, Ezra, 
Ethan, and Jason. He died 8th mo. 3d, 1822, aged 
seventy-nine; and his wife 3d mo. 3d, 1826, aged 
seventy-seven years. 

(3.) Isaac and Asenath Comly's Children. 

(4.) Martha, born 12th mo. 29th, 1771, married 
Evan T. Knight. They lived in Bensalem, where 
he died 2d mo. 6th, 1841 ; and she died 7th mo. 
29th, 1851. Children: Isaac and Phebe. 

(5.) John, was born in Byberry, 11th mo. 19th, 
1773. He was carefully brought up according to 
the rules of the Society of Friends, and at an early 
age, while yet a school-boy, manifested a great in- 
terest in the Society, and exhibited those traits of 
humility and tenderness which so eminently char- 
acterized him through life. In 1792 he was placed 
under Samuel Jones, the Baptist minister at Penny- 
pack, to study the Latin and G-reek languages 
where he remained until the spring of 1794. He 
then engaged as a teacher in Byberry School, where 
he continued until 1801, when he resigned, and 
from a sense of duty engaged as a teacher in West- 
town Boarding School. In 1802 he resigned that 
situation and returned to his native place, and in 
the following spring again took charge of B3^berry 
School. In 6th mo. 1803, he married Eebecca, 
daughter of Dr. Stacy Budd, of Mount Holly, IN". 
J., and settled on a farm lately purchased in By- 
berry. In 1804 he opened a boarding school for 

24 



278 THE HISTORY OF 

girls at his residence, which was successfully con- 
tinued until 1810, and was then changed into a 
school for boys and young men, and continued till 
1815. His literary works are as follows : " English 
Grammar,'' published in 1803; "Spelling Book,'' 
in 1806; "Primer," in 1807; and " Eeader and 
Book of Useful Knowledge," in 1840. Some of 
these have passed through several editions, and 
still have an extensive sale throughout the whole 
country. He was also the author of several essays 
upon moral subjects, which were published in the 
journals of that day. He- was subsequently en- 
gaged, along with his brother Isaac, in publishing 
a periodical called "Friends' Miscellany," which 
was continued through a series of years, and has 
been the means of preserving many valuable rec- 
ords, biographical sketches, historical notes, and 
other matters of peculiar interest. John Comly 
appeared as a minister in the Society of Friends 
in 1810; and his labors being approved by the 
Monthly Meeting, he was recommended in 1813. 
Besides his services at home, he frequently made 
religious visits, which extended to New England, 
New York, Ohio, Maryland, and other places, and 
which tended greatly to inculcate the peaceable 
principles of Friends. Several of his sermons were 
stenographically reported by Marcus T. Gould, and 
afterward published. He was also eminently use- 
ful as a surveyor, and was often able to satisfac- 
torily settle conflicting claims and disputes among 
his neighbors. He died at his residence in By- 
berry, 8th mo. 17th, 1850, after an illness of only a 



BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 279 

few days, aged nearly 77 years. His wife died 8th 
mo. 9th, 1832. 

Their children were Stacy, Ann, Charles, Sarah, 
and Emmor. 

(6,) Joseph, was born in B3^berry, 12th mo. 16th, 
1775, He learned the trade of a carpenter, which 
business he followed for several years, and after- 
ward settled on a part of his father's farm. In 
1800 he built a commodious house, the one now 
occupied by his son, Watson Comly ; and in the 
latter part of the same year was married to Abi- 
gail, daughter of Jonathan Parry. She died in 
1805. Children, Asenath, Phebe, and James. In 
1807 he married Eachel, daughter of Dr. John 
"Watson, of Buckingham. He had a taste for me- 
chanical pursuits, and was the first to introduce 
several important improvements, in those matters, 
into the townships. He became quite noted for 
moving buildings, such as houses, barns, &c. ; and, 
from a record kept by him, he moved one hundred 
and sixty-five buildings in the course of twenty 
years. He published several essays in the Evening 
Fireside and other periodicals, wrote several jour- 
nals of his travels, and collected considerable his- 
torical matter of local interest. He was a very 
useful man, and highly res]Dected by all who knew 
him. He died in Byberry, 2d mo. 5th, 1854, aged 
78 years. His wife, Eachel, died 2d mo. 3d, 1839. 

(7.) Isaac, born in Byberry, 3d mo. 21st, 1779. 
He was. apt at learning while a youth ; and, with- 
out any other advantages than those afforded by 
the neighboring school, fitted himself for the dii- 



280 THE HISTORY OF 

ties of a teacher. In 1794 he commenced as an 
usher under his brother John, at By berry, and in 
1797 engaged as an assistant with Samuel Comfort, 
of Middletown. He remained here until 3d mo., 

1798, when he took charge of the school at Buck- 
ingham for one year. He removed to Horsham in 

1799, and in the latter part of the same year to An- 
cocas, New Jersey, where he continued teaching 
school for two years. During part of 1801 he 
taught at Mansfield's ISTeck; and in 1802 took a 
sichool at ISTewton, New Jersey, where he remained 
until 1809, when he relinquished the business. He 
then spent some time in travelling; and in 1811 
was married to Meribah, daughter of John and Ee- 
becca Barton, of Newton, New Jersey. Soon after 
his marriage he opened a store in Byberry, which 
was continued until about 1822, when he moved to 
the old homestead, where he spent the remainder 
of his life in tilling the soil. He was a clerk at 
Byberry Monthly Meeting for many years, and af- 
terward an Elder. As a w^riter, he ranks second to 
none who has ever resided in the townships, his 
information extending to nearly every branch of 
literature ; and his numerous essays, prose and po- 
etical, which were published in several of the best 
periodicals of the day, and which were extensively 
copied, exhibit a talent of no ordinary merit. 
Among those articles we notice many sketches of 
these townships, and it is to Isaac Comly that we 
are indebted for much of the present history. Be- 
sides these fugitive pieces, he published a reading 
book for schools, entitled " Easy Lessons for Juve- 



BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 281 

nile Readers," iu 1807; the '' Philadelphia Primer," 
in 1808 ; " A New Assistant," in 1809, and was one 
of the editors of the " Friends' Miscellany." His 
great delight, however, seems to have been among 
the musty records of bygone times; and to hunt 
up and note down every particular relative to fam- 
ily and local history, was one of the chief employ- 
ments of his life. He collected much toward a 
history of his native and surrounding townships, 
and traced out the genealogy of many of the most 
prominent families who have resided in the vicin- 
ity. He was frequently applied to by those wish- 
ing information of this kind, and they were seldom 
disappointed. Being of an amiable disposition, 
and just in his dealings, he was honored and re- 
spected by all who knew him. The even tenor of 
his life was rarely disturbed by surrounding cir- 
cumstances, and he passed through the scenes of 
this world in peace and contentment. He died at 
his farm in Byberry, 10th mo. 19th, 1847, aged 69 
years. His widow died 11th mo. 8th, 1862. Chil- 
dren : Mary and Robert. 

(8.) Ezra, born in Byberry, 9th mo. 3d, 1781. 
He married Sarah Strickland, in 1804. He resided 
in Byberry for several years, after which he moved 
to Black River, in the northern part of New York. 
In 18 — he returned to Byberry, where he spent 
the rest of his life. He died 8th mo. 27th, 1863; 
and Sarah died 1st mo. 17th, 1855. Children : Eliz- 
abeth and Isaac. 

(9.) Ethan, born 5th mo. 31st, 1784, remained 
in Byberry until 1804, when he removed to Philadel- 

24^ 



282 THE HISTORY OP 

phia and became a merchant. He wrote several 
excellent miscellaneous articles for the public pa- 
pers. On account of an affection of the spine, he 
was induced to cultivate his taste for drawing, so 
that he acquired very great skill and proficiency 
in that art. He was a member of the Academy of 
Fine Arts in Philadelphia, and was much respected 
by all who knew him. He died 6th mo. 13, 1865. 
Children : Allen, Eliza, and Henry, 

DESCENDANTS OF GRACE, DAUGHTER OE HENRY AND 
AGNES COMLY. 

(1.) Grace Comly, married, first, Benjamin, son 
of John Cadwalader, the preacher, in 1742, and 
settled on a farm adjoining Horsham Meeting- 
house. Benjamin died 4th mo. 14th, 1753. Chil- 
dren: Eachel, Phebe, Benjamin, and Cyrus. Grace 
married, second, Benjamin Powers. She died 1st 
mo., 1800, aged 79 years. Children by her last 
husband, Mary and Grace. 

Benjamin and (1) Grace Cadwaladefs Children. 

(2.) Eachel, born 6th mo. 9th, 1743; died while 
young. 

(3.) Phebe, born 8th mo. 19th, 1747, married 
Charles Iredell, and settled in Horsham. Chil- 
dren : Eebecca, Grace, Eachel, Eobert, Joseph, and 
Benjamin. 

(4.) Benjamin, born 4th mo. 9th, 1749, married 
Hannah Bradfield. He lived on the homestead in 
Horsham till the decease of his mother, when he 



BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 283 

moved to Gill's farm, in Buckingham. During the 
latter part of his life he resided with his sou-in- 
law, James Bonner, where he died, in 1834, aged 
85 years. He was something of a poet, and was a 
very useful member of society. His children were 
Ure, who married James Bonner; Betsey, who 
married John Rich; Benjamin, who married, first, 
Sarah Townsend, 2d, Sarah Landis ; Yarley, who 
married Christianna Moore; Peter Y., who mar- 
ried Hannah Magill; David, who married Ann Ro- 
binson; John, who married Lydia Ann Merrick; 
and Silas, who married Rebecca Shej^pard. 

(5.) Cyrus, born 8th mo. 9th, 1752 ; died while 
young. 

Benjamin and (1) Grace Powers' s Children. 

(6.) Mary, died while young. 

(7.) Grace, married John Carlisle. Children : 
Phebe and Amos. Phebe married John Burton, 
and settled at Fallsington, Bucks County; and 

Amos married Kinsey, and settled at Morris- 

ville. 

Charles and (3) Phebe Iredell's Children. 

(8.) Rebecca, married Jacob Kirk, and set- 
tled on the Welsh Road, in Abington. Children : 
Phebe, Ruth, Rebecca, Charles, Aaron, Samuel, 
Hannah, Elizabeth, Abraham, and Rachel. 

(9.) Grace, married John Conrad, and lived in 
Horsham. 

(10.) Rachel, died single. 

(11.) Robert, married Mary Marple. Children : 



284 THE HISTORY OP 

Oliver, who died young, and Ann, who married 
Dr. Hunt, of New Jersey. 

(12.) Joseph, married Hannah Thomas, of Hat- 
boro'. They resided in Jenkintown, and had one 
eon, Charles, who went to Bristol, Bucks County. 



THE DUFFIELD FAMILY.* 




(1.) Benjamin Duffield, son of Eobert and 
Bridget Duffield, of England, was born September 
29, 1661. He married Elizabeth, daughter of Su- 
sanna and Arthur Watts, and emigrated to Bur- 
lington, New Jersey, in 1679. He purchased a 
tract of land in the manor of Moreland, in 1685. 
He died in Philadelphia, May 5, 1741, and his 
tombstone may be seen at Christ Churchyard, at 
Fifth and Arch Streets, Philadelphia. 

(2.) Joseph, eighth child of Benjamin and Eliza- 

* I am indebted to Dr. John Neill, of Philadelphia, for the 
greater part of the genealogy of this ftimily. 



BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 285 

beth Duffield, was born in 1692. He owned a few 
slaves, which were willed to his wife at his death, 
in 1746. 

(2.) Joseph Dnffield's Children. 

(3.) Benjamin, died young. 

(4.) Elizabeth, married Dr. Samuel Swift. 

(5.) Mary, died young. 

(6.) Sarah, married Prof. Kinnersley, of the 
College of Philadelphia. 

(7.) Hannah, died young. 

(8.) Joseph, died young. 

(9.) James, died young. 

(10.) Edward, born in 1720, married Mrs. Cath- 
arine Parry, daughter of Judge Smj^th, of South 
Carolina. Sarah Franklin, writing to her father 
in Europe, under date of March 23, 1766, says, 
" Our dear friend Mrs. Smyth expired yesterday 
morning. Poor Mrs. Duffield and poor mamma 
are in great distress. It must be hard to lose a 
friend of fifty years' standing.'^ 

His name aj)pears among the earlier members 
of the American Philosophical Society. He was 
also a Commissioner to issue colonial paper cur- 
rency, a specimen of which, with his autograph, is 
on exhibition in Independence Hall. About the 
same time he was one of those charged with the 
erection of the Walnut Street Prison, and there is 
a tradition that when the British occupied Phila- 
delphia, they seized him at his country residence, 
and, marching him past his city house, imprisoned 



286 THE HISTORY OF 

him in the jail, the construction of which he had 
superintended. 

He was a man of considerable talent, and was 
noted for his scientific acquirements and his skill 
in agricultural and mechanical pursuits. He is 
said to have made the first watch, from the raw 
materials, ever made in Pennsylvania; and some 
of his clocks, among which is the one on Lower 
Dublin Academy, are yet to be seen in the vicinity, 
— monuments of his skill and ingenuity in mechan- 
ism. He associated with such men as Kinnersley, 
Eittenhouse, and Franklin, the latter of whom re- 
posed great confidence in him, often visited him at 
his residence, and made him one of the executors 
of his last will. 

The only literarj^ production we have met with, 
emanating from his pen, is "Some Observations 
on the Application of Plaster of Paris," which 
was published by Judge Peters, in 1797. He was 
much interested in educational matters, and was 
one of the founders of the Lower Dublin Acad- 
emy; he also was the means of having a school- 
house erected in his own immediate neighborhood. 
He died in 1803, aged about seventy-four years, 
and was buried at All Saints' churchyard. It is 
traditionally asserted that the first consultation 
b}' Jeff*erson and others, respecting the Declaration 
of Independence, was held at Edward Duffield's 
house. 

(11.) Uz, eaten by the wolves w^hen three years 
of age. 



BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 287 

(10.) Ediuard and Catharine Duffield's Children. 

(12.) Mary, Joseph, Catharine, all died in 
youth. 

(13.) Elizabeth, married Francis Ingraham. 

(14.) Benjamin, was born November 3d, 1753. 
He was educated at the College of Philadelphia, 
where in 1771, he received the degree of Master of 
Arts, and delivered on Commencement day, a 
poem entitled " Science. '^ He became a medical 
student in the office of Dr. John Eedman, and after 
attending the lectures of Morgan"and Shippen, in 
1775, he went to Edinburgh and completed his 
education. On his return from Europe, he mar- 
ried Eebecca, daughter of John Potts, of Potts- 
grove, and sister of Dr. Jonathan Potts, Director 
General of the Hospitals of the Middle and North- 
ern Departments during the Revolutionary War. 
In 1793, while the yellow fever was raging in 
Philadelphia, he had charge of the Bush Hill Hos- 
pital, and, in 1798, the managers of the Marine and 
City Hospitals voted him a sum of money, in ap- 
preciation of his services. He was the first lec- 
turer on Obstetrics in America, and was a member 
of the American Philosophical Society. A poem 
of his inscribed " To the Memory of the late Dr. 
Rittenhouse, b}^ his sincere admirer," is still ex- 
tant. In the life of Judge Iredell, one of the first 
Associate Judges of the Supreme Court of the 
United States, are several letters from Dr. Duf- 
-:fi.eld, who was the Judge's family physician. Dr. 
Duffield resided in Front Street, Philadelphia, 



288 THE HISTORY OF 

where his wife died in February, 1797. He died 
in December, 1799, aged 46 years, and left several 
children. 

(15.) Sarah, married Stacy Hepburn. 

(16.) Edward, remained a bachelor, and occu- 
pied the old Duffield homestead, devoting his time 
to reading and agricultural pursuits. He is still 
remembered by some of the inhabitants as a gen- 
tleman of the old school. He died in 1836 or 7, 
and then the old Duffield homestead was pur- 
chased by John Murray, who still occupies it. 

Francis and (13) Elizabeth Ingraham^s Children. 

(17.) Francis and Catharine, buried at All 
Saints'. 

(18.) Edward D., a distinguished lawyer and 
bibliomaniac, of Philadelphia ; married first, Mary 
Wilson, 'of Snow Hill, Md., and second, Caroline 
Barney, of Baltimore. 

(19.) Alfred, married Elizabeth, sister of Major- 
General Meade, and removed to Mississippi, where 
they have a numerous family. 

(14.) Benjamin and Rebecca Duffield' s Children. 

(20.) Catharine, born April 9th, 1779, married 
Dr. John Church, of Philadelphia. She died in 
1804, childless. 

(21.) Martha E., born August 9th, 1780, mar- 
ried Dr. Henry Neill, of Snow Hill, Md. She died 
in Philadelphia, June, 1856. 

(22.) Edward, born December 18th, 1782, mar- 
ried Miss Nolan. 



BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 289 

(23.) John Potts, born [Rovember 2d, 1784, mar- 
ried first, Miss Handy, of Snow Hill, Md., and 
second. Miss Bishop, of the same place. He died 
at Snow Hill, in 1830. 

(24.) Eebecca, born September 7th, 1786, mar- 
ried Dr. John S. Martin, of Snow Hill, Md., where 
she resided until her death in November, 1843. 

(25.) Mary, born 1787, died in infancy. 

Stacy and (15) Sarah Hepburn's Children. 

(26.) James, married in New Orleans, La. 
(27.) Fanny, married James Strawbridge and 
moved to New Orleans, La. 

(28.) Eliza, married John J. Yanderkemp. 



THE GILBEKT FAMILY.* 

The ancestor of this family was (1) John Gil- 
bert, who came over in the ship " Welcome " from 
England, in 1682. He is supposed to have been 
the John Gilbert who, during the persecution of 
the Quakers in England, was taken out of a meet- 
ing and sent to Lancaster jail, in 1663. He first 
settled in Bensalem, but in 1695 he purchased six 
hundred acres of land in the eastern part of By- 
berry, of Nicholas Eideout. One-half of this tract 
he afterwards conveyed to his son Joseph, and the 
other half he sold to John Carver, after which he 

* I am indebted to Gilbert Cope, of West Chester, for a portion 
of this account. 

25 



290 THE HISTORY OP 

removed to Philadelphia, where he became a prom- 
inent merchant. He remained in the city until 
his death, on the 13th of 8th mo. (October), 1711. 
He was married while in England, and his wife's 
name was Florence. Their children, as far as 
known, were John, Josej)h, Sarah, Mary, Joshua, 
and Abigail. 



(1.) John and Florence GilherVs Children. 

(2.) John, came over with his parents, in 1682, 
and settled in Bucks County, near the Poquessing 
Creek. Little is known of him except that he was 
a peace-loving man in the favor of .William Penn, 
and ardently attached to religious worship. He 
died in Philadelphia 1st mo. 7th, 1701-2, leaving 
two sons, John and Samuel. 

(3.) Joseph, married Eachel Livezey, of Abing- 
ton, in 1699, and settled in Byberry. He was one 
of the prominent men of his time, being an elder 
and leading member of Byberry Meeting. This 
position he filled with great satisfaction ; and by 
his strict integritj^, undeviating attention to moral 
and religious duties, and earnest support of what 
he believed the testimonies of Truth, he gained the 
esteem and respect of all who knew him. He was 
a man of very correct judgment, and had a strong 
mind, so that he was seldom deterred from doing 
what he believed to be his duty or led away from 
a Christian's path. His views were far in advance 
of those of his contemporaries, and were tempered 
by justice and moderation. He regularly attended 



BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 291 

meetings for religious worship, and encouraged his 
family and neighbors to observe the same prac- 
tice. Although he furnished intoxicating drinks 
to his hands in the harvest-field, yet he refrained 
from its use, and on such occasions drank water 
which was taken from a neighboring brook and 
kept in a jng in the open sunshine. He was op- 
posed to holding slaves, and united with Benjamin 
Lay and other Friends in bearing testimony against 
the evil ; and in order to make his example cor- 
respond with his precept, he liberated several 
slaves in his possession. He was opposed to usury, 
and being a man of considerable wealth, he put his 
views in practice by frequently lending money 
without interest to those in necessitous circum- 
stances. On one occasion a travelling Friend held 
a meeting at Byberry, when Joseph informed his 
hands that they might attend the meeting without 
loss -to themselves, but that those who refused 
should not perform any duty during his absence. 
He retained his mental and j)hysical energies un- 
impaired to the close of his life, and when four- 
score years old led his hands in the harvest-field. 
He had such control over his dispositions that for 
many years of the latter part of his life he was 
rarely, if ever, known to be in a passion. He trav- 
elled with Thomas Chalkley on a religious visit to 
Friends on Long Island. He died in 1765, at the 
advanced age of ninety years, and it may be truly 
said that few men of his time were more honored 
while living or more lamented when dead. He left 
several children, among whom was Benjamin, the 



292 THE HISTORY OF 

Indian captive. He resided on a place now owned 
by Thomas James, and built the farm-house, which 
is still standing, in 1722. 

(4.) Sarah, married Henry Elfreth, in 1702. She 
died in 1728, leaving children. 

(5.) Mary, married Ballard. Their chil- 
dren were Samuel, William, and probably others. 

(6.) Joshua, was born 6th mo. 10th, 1684, being 
the first child of the name of Gilbert born in Amer- 
ica. He married Elizabeth Oldham, 8th mo. 19th, 
1707. They had one daughter, Elizabeth, who 
married William Parker. Joshua was a black- 
smith in Philadelphia, where he died, 7th mo. 19th, 
1711. 

(3.) Joscjyh and Rachel Gilherfs Children. 

(7.) Sarah, born 4th mo. 21st, 1700, married 
John Baldwin, in 1725. 

(8.) Phebe, born 12th mo. 7th, 1701, married 
Henry Comly, of Moreland, 7th mo. 26th, 1728. 
She died 2d mo. 14th, 1773. 

(9.) Joseph, born 10th mo. 13th, 1703 ; died in 
1730, unmarried. 

(10.) Eebecca, married Patrick Ogilby, of Long 
Island, in 1735. 

(11.) Benjamin, was born in Byberry, in 1711. He 
was one of the most extraordinary characters of 
his day. In June, 1731, at the age of twenty-one 
years, he married Sarah, daughter of Benjamin 
Mason, of Fair Hill. After this event he remained 
in Byberry several years, and then removed to the 
great swamp, in Eichland, Bucks County, where 



BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 293 

he was in 1748. While there he was rather irreg- 
ular in his life, and was disowned by the Society of 
Friends, of which he was a member. Soon after 
this he saw proper to change his life, and, from his 
general good conduct, Friends reinstated him as a 
member of the Society, in 1749. In this year he 
removed to a mill in Makefield, Bucks County; 
and, in 1755, he returned to his native place to take 
charge of his father's farm. Four years later he 
purchased one hundred and thirty-six acres of the 
Ellis tract, near the centre of B^^berry, on the 
Byberry Creek, and on which he soon afterward 
erected a grist-mill — the one now owned by Charles 
B. Comly. In 1759 he lost his wife. Soon after 
this his life again became irregular, and he was a 
second time disowned. His father, who had died 
a short time previous, was very wealthy, and had 
left the most of his property to Benjamin, his only 
surviving son. It might be supposed that such an 
ample fortune would satisfy any one; but Benja- 
min was of a roving disposition, delighting in 
change, and was, therefore, not long contented in 
any one place. In 1760, he married Elizabeth, 
widow of Bryan Peart, and daughter of Benjamin 
Walton, of Byberry. In 1770, he offered a written 
acknowledgment of his offence to the Meeting, but 
it was not received ; and, in 1776, he made another 
to the same Meeting, and was again reinstated. 
By this time he was advanced in age, and had seen 
several of his numerous family of children com- 
fortably settled around him; but others remained 
to be provided for, and he, in 1775, at the age of 

25^ 



294 THE HISTORY OF 

sixty-four years, embarked in a new enterprise for 
this purpose. He disposed of his mill property in 
Byberry, and purchased lands on Mahoning Creek, 
in Northampton County, then one of the frontier 
settlements of Pennsylvania, whither he removed 
with his family in the spring of that year. On 
this property was an excellent mill site, where he 
erected a saw and grist-mill, and carried on an ex- 
tensive and prosperous business, and lived at peace 
with all his neighbors, both whites and Indians. 
At this time the latter were very troublesome, and 
Benjamin was frequently warned of the danger; 
but being innocent himself, and never having ta- 
ken any part in the contest, he thought he could 
rest in security and 2:)eace. In this, however, he 
was mistaken, for, on the 25th of April, 1780, a 
part}^ of eleven savages came to his house about 
sunrise, armed with guns, tomahawks, &c. Ben- 
jamin met them at the door, and they shook hands 
with him, and called him brother, but immediately 
proceeded to tie his arms so that he could not use 
them. They then secured the rest of the family, 
and proceeded to rob the house, and loaded several 
horses with the plunder. Two of the Indians re- 
mained behind to set fire to the buildings, while 
the remainder marched with their prisoners — fif- 
teen in number — and plunder through the wilder- 
ness. After enduring innumerable suff'erings and 
hardships, they reached Niagara just one month 
after they had been taken captives, where Benja- 
min, his wife, and son Jesse, were surrendered to 
Colonel Johnson^ but the others were detained 



BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 295 

among the Indians. From Niagara they were 
sent to Montreal, and at the mouth of Lake Onta- 
rio were placed in open boats to descend the St. 
Lawrence Eiver to that place. Benjamin was sick 
before leaving the fort, and a heavy rain falling 
upon him increased the disorder, so that on the 
8th of the 6th mo., 1780, his eventful life was ter- 
minated at the age of 69 years. On the next day 
he was buried under an oak tree on the banks of 
the St. Lawrence. The remainder of the family 
were, in time, released, and reached Byberry again 
on the 28th of 9th mo., 1782. A narrative of their 
captivity and sufferings, containing ninety-six 
pages, was published by Joseph Cruikshank, in 
1784. Benjamin Gilbert was a man of much energy 
and determination, and an attentive observer of all 
that transpired around him. His mind was of a 
religious turn, and he wrote and published several 
volumes on theological subjects. They were writ- 
ten in a plain, easy style, and evince considerable 
thought and a clear comprehension of the subject 
he was considering. Elizabeth, his widow, died 
8th mo. 5th, 1810, at the age of 85, 

(11.) Benjamin and Sarah Gilberts Children. 

(12.) Eachel, born 11th mo. 14th, 1732, married, 
first, Ezekiel Atkinson, in 1754 ; and second, Wil- 
liam Walton. She died 2d mo. 24th, 1791. 

(13.) Abigail, born 9th mo. 3d, 1734, married 
Benjamin Walton. 

(14.) Sarah, born 2d mo. 24th, 1737; died in in- 
fancy. 




296 THE HISTORY OF 

(15.) Joseph, born 12tli mo. 10th, 1738; died in 
1807, unmarried, 

(16.) Benjamin, born 1st mo. 31st, 1741, married, 
first, Eebecca Watson, in 1771; and second, Mar- 
garet Anderson. He died 1st mo. 11th, 1809. 

(17.) John, born 5th mo. 23d, 1743, married Ann 
Stackhouse, in 1768. 

(18.) Sarah, born 4th mo. 26th, 1745, married 
Daniel AYalton. She died 7th mo. 25th, 1785. 

(19.) Joshua, was born in Eichland, Bucks Coun- 
ty, 3d mo. 3d, 1748. He came to Bjberry with his 
father in 1755 ; and being of an active and lively 
disposition, he was, in the early part of his life, 
fond of amusements, could dance equal to any of 
his young companions, and relish a game of cards 
on every occasion. At the age of twenty-one 
3^ears he appears to have taken a serious turn, and 
his mind became impressed with considerations of 
a more weighty nature, and he was afterward a 
regular attendant at religious meetings. In 1771 
he married Mary, daugliter of Nicholas Eandall, 
and purchased the old homestead where Thomas 
James now lives, with fifty acres of land, and set- 
tled thereon. He brought up a large famil3^ of 
children, and was esteemed by all who knew him. 
Mary died 3d mo. 13th, 1812, aged 60 years, and 
Joshua died 6th mo. 18th, 1833, aged 86 years. 
They had children : Phebe, Benjamin, Tacy, Tho- 
mas, Joshua, David, and Beulah. 

(20.) Caleb, born 9th mo. 19th, 1754, married 
Martha Stackhouse. 



BYBERRY AND MORELAND.^ 297 

(11.) Benjamin and Elizaheth Gilberfs Children. 

(21.) Jesse, born 5th mo. 4th, 1761, married 
Sarah Harding in 1780. He died 3d mo. 10th, 
1829, leaving eleven children. 

(22.) Eebecca, born in 1763, married Joseph 
Eakestraw. She died 8th mo. 23d, 1842. 

(23.) Abner, born 3d mo. 2d, 1765, married Ann, 
daughter of George and Susanna Cooper, 1st mo. 
18th, 1799. They settled in Westmoreland County, 
Pa. Abner died 8tli mo. 23d, 1842; his widow 
died 11th mo. 12th, 1846. They left a daughter 
Eliza, who married Joseph Cope. 

(24.) Elizabeth, born 9th mo. 14th, 1767, mar- 
ried David Webster. Notwithstanding the suffer- 
ings she endured during her captivity, Elizabeth 
Webster always retained an affection for John 
Huston, the Indian chief who adopted her in his 
family, and in 1822, she sent him some mementos 
of her remembrance, by the noted chiefs Corn- 
planter and Red Jacket, whom she met in Phila- 
delphia. Of " Aunt Betsy," as she was universally 
called, it may be said, that few persons filled up 
the duties of life with more faithfulness, and al- 
though she had known trouble, yet she always ap- 
peared cheerful and happy. They lived in By- 
berry, where she died, in 1857. Children : Susan, 
who married John Matchner; David, who mar- 
ried Sindonia Walton ; William; Jesse G., who mar- 
ried Sarah , and Nathan, who married Mar- 
gery Gilbert. 



298 THE HISTORY OF 

(19.) Joshua and Mary Gilberfs Children. 

(25.) Phebe, married Thomas Wilson ; she died 
4th mo. 12th, 1814, aged 43 years. 

(26.) Benjamin, went to Black Eiver, where he 
died unmarried. 

(27.) Tacy, died single, 5th mo. 2d, 1847, aged 
71 j^ears. 

(28.) Thomas, married Martha, daughter of John 
Knight. He died 10th mo. 2d, 1844, and Martha 
died 12th mo. 3d, 1822. Children : Mary, Margery, 
who married Nathan Webster, John, Charles, who 
married Ellen Eenshaw, David, Ezra, Ann P., and 
Sarah. 

(29.) Joshua, was a prominent citizen of By- 
berry, and resided therein the greater part of his 
life. For many years he was a school teacher, and 
afterward kept store where Eoss Knight now does. 
He was the author of several essays published in 
the Evening Fireside, and was considered a good 
writer. He was a man of learning, and took a 
great interest in scientific and literary studies, and 
was always one of the principal movers in these 
matters in the township. He married Mary Ware, 
and resided during the latter part of his life on 
property now owned by James Walmsley. He 
died 5th mo. 7th, 1846, aged 62 years. Children : 
Frances, who married James Ivins ; Emma, who 
married James Thornton ; and Beulah. 

(30.) David, married Joanna, daughter of Jesse 
James. He died 10th mo. 30th, 1826. Children : 
Mary, Phebe, Elizabeth, and Abi. 



BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 299 

(31.) Beulah, married Thomas James. He died 
5th mo. 16th, 1813; she died 7th mo. 25th, 1850. 
They had one child, Thomas, who married Eliza- 
beth Knight. 



THE KNIGHT FAMILY. 

The name of Knight was common in some parts 
of England more than two hundred years ago. In 
1663, Sir John Knight was Mayor of the town of 
Bristol. A few years after, another John Knight 
was Yicar of Banbury. We also find notice of 
many persons named Knight who were among the 
early converts to the doctrines of George Fox; 
and in the record of the sufferings of Friends du- 
ring the reign of Charles II, are the names of 
Thomas Knight, of Cirencester; William Knight, 
of Hampshire; George Knight and Mary Knight, 
of London or Middlesex ; Eobert Knight, of Ox- 
ford, and Giles Knight, of Chesselborough, in Som- 
ersetshire. Most of these were apprehended at 
religious meetings, and, for refusing to take the 
oath of allegiance, were committed to prison. 

Among the emigrants who came to America with 
William Penn, in 1682, was Giles Knight, of Glou- 
cestershire. While in England, he married Mary, 
a sister of Henry English ; and, at the time of their 
arrival in America, they had one son, Joseph, who 
was about two years of age. Their friends en- 
deavored to persuade them to leave Joseph in Eng- 
land, ''fearing that he would be devoured by the 



300 THE HISTORY OP 

wolves, bears, or panthers in the wilds of Pennsylva- 
nia." Daring the passage across the Atlantic Mary 
was very ill, so that her recovery was doubtful; yet 
she did recover, and lived for many years after 
their arrival. Her father purchased a tract of five 
hundred acres in Byberry, and gave one-half of it 
to his son, Henry English, and the other half to 
Giles Knight. The latter lived in a cave for six 
weeks after his arrival, and then constructed a 
wigwam, in which he resided for several months, 
and then erected a log house. He was very prosper- 
ous Id his business, and sometime afterward bought 
the adjoining lands of Tibby and Cross, making 
altogether a tract of six hundred acres. The house 
at first erected being too small to accommodate his 
increasing family, he erected a long log-house, one 
story high, on the Tibby tract, and opened a store 
for the sale of dry goods, groceries, &c., which is 
said to have been the first in either township. 
From the ancient records we learn that he was one 
of the leading men in the neighborhood, and that 
he was highly esteemed for his integrity, good 
judgment, and correct life. In 1717, he went to 
England on a visit, when Abington Monthly Meet- 
ing of Friends, of which he was a member, gave 
him the following certificate : 

" To our well-beloved friends and brethren in 
the Truth at JS'ailsworthe, in Gloucestershire, or 
elsewhere, greeting: Signifying, that our ancient 
fi-ieud Giles Knight, having occasion to see his na- 
tive country, and his outward business requiring 
his personal appearance, doth induce him, as well 



BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 301 

as affection, to undertake a voyage to see his old 
friends; now, having made application to our 
Monthly Meeting in order to have a certificate, 
and persons appointed to make enquiry how he 
leaves his family ; and, withal, if the ship would 
not stay until our next Mo. Meeting, he might 
have a certificate signed by the particular meeting 
to which he belongs, to wit, Byberry : 

" These may certify, that enquiry being made 
and no objection found, we recommend him as an 
Elder and one well esteemed by us for many years, 
having left his family with a great deal of love; 
he has gi*eat comfort in having sober, well-inclined 
children, and the Lord has blessed him with out- 
ward substance, which we hope may be well dis- 
posed of to his hopeful offspring. 

"We heartily wish the Lord may spare his life 
to see his friends and family again, having left us 
in unity and love. We wish and pray for his pres- 
ervation in the Truth with all the faithful through- 
out the world. We salute you, and bid you fare- 
well in the Lord Jesus Christ. 

"Signed at Byberry, the 8th of the 7th month, 
1717, by order of Abington Monthly Meeting : 

" William Walton, Thomas Walton, Thomas 
Knight, Henry English, George James, Everard 
Bolton, Alexander Mode, Thomas Martin, James 
Cooper, James Duncan, Henry Comly, John Car- 
ver, James Carver, Edward Duncan, John Brock, 
Joseph Gibbons, Thomas Knight, Daniel Knight, 
Jonathan Knight." 

He possessed considerable literary attainments, 

26 



302 THE HISTORY OF 

and his library contained a number of books re- 
lating to civil government. He was repeatedly 
elected a member of the Assembly at Philadelphia, 
and, in this capacity, was very liberal in his views, 
and did much to promote public improvements. 
He died 8th mo. 20th, 1726, aged 73 years; and 
Mary died 7th mo. 24th, 1732, aged 77 years. They 
had twelve children, three of whom died in infan- 
cy. Two of these were buried on the farm near 
Knight's mill-pond, and the other was the first 
person interred in the old grave-yard at Byberry 
Meeting. The remainder, so far as known, were 
Joseph, Thomas, Daniel, Jonathan, and Ann, from 
whom the whole of the family of Knights are 
descended. Thomas Knight, mentioned in the 
above list, was a half-brother of Giles, and the last 
three mentioned were his sons. Joseph, his eldest 
son, resided at that time in New Jersey. 

JOSEPH KNIGHT, AND HIS DESCENDANTS. 

(1.) Joseph Knight, was born in England, in 
1680, and came to Pennsylvania with his parents, 
Giles and Mary Knight, in 1682. He married Abi- 
gail Antill, who came from England in 1717. They 
were married at a public meeting in Philadelphia, 
and their certificate was signed by Thomas Chalk- 
ley, David Lloyd, Samuel Preston, Ei chard Hill, 
and other distinguished Friends. They first set- 
tled in New Jersey, but returned to Byberry in 
1729, and settled on the place now owned by James 
Thornton, which contained one hundred and ninety 
acres, and was inherited from his father. He was 



BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 303 

a man of little or no enterprise, and was content 
with a very plain way of living. He thought his 
farm too large, and accordingly sold about one 
hundred and forty acres of it to Thomas Walms- 
ley, retaining his buildings and only fifty acres of 
land from which to make a living. They studied 
and carried out the principles of the most exact 
economy, and being content with very little, passed 
through life in a comfortable way and without any 
longings after those expensive luxuries experienced 
by many people. He was very careful to attend 
to all things in season, and suffered nothing to be 
wasted. He was a kind-hearted man, and a good 
citizen. His neighbors did not look upon him as a 
miser ; but having been brought up in a new coun- 
try, where he often suffered many privations, his 
habits of economy became settled, and continued 
with him through life. When he was a little boy, 
the only food they had, often for weeks at a time, 
was "fish and pumpkins;" and on one occasion, 
when some of the neighbors paid them a visit and 
the conversation turned upon the good things left 
behind them in Old England, Joseph remarked 
"that he did not know anything about them, but 
that fish and pumpkins were good enough for him." 
On one occasion, some one asked him how to make 
money, when he replied, " Thou knowest how to 
make it better than I do, but thou dost not know 
how to keep it." He died 4th mo. 26th, 1762, aged 
82 years; and his widow died 11th mo. 19th, 1764, 
at about the same age. They left two children, 
Giles and Mary. 



304 THE HISTORY OF 

(1.) Joseph and Abigail Knighfs Children. 

(2.) Giles was born in Bensalera, Bucks County, 
11th mo. 17th, 1719. He married, first, Elizabeth 
James, in 1737, and settled in Bensalem. They 
had ten children : Joseph, Susannah, Abigail, Giles, 
Rebecca, Mary, Elizabeth, Abel, Sarah, and Israel. 
Elizabeth died in 1766, and Giles married, second, 
Phebe Thomas. Children : Asa, Evan T., Phebe, 
Pachel, Jesse, and Ann. Giles Knight was well 
educated, had a vigorous mind, and conducted his 
business with energy and success. He early turned 
his attention to politics ; and from being in com- 
fortable circumstances, of known integrity and 
sound judgment, he soon became prominent as a 
politician, apd was for several successive years a 
member of the State Legislature, and afterward 
one of the Commissioners of Bucks County. In 
1766 his first wife died, and in 1768 he was married 
a second time. Of his appearance and manners, 
Isaac Comly remarks : "I remember the venerable 
old patriarch in full dress of velvet and broadcloth, 
w^ith buttons and buckles of silver, a full bottom 
wig, and first-rate beaver hat, turned up behind 
and on each side before, all which seemed to be- 
long to a class that did not mix with ordinary 
characters; and together with an austere, com- 
manding countenance, and dignity of manners and 
deportment, induced an apprehension and belief 
that Giles Knight was one of the great men of his 
day and generation." He died in 1799, and was 
buried at By berry. 



BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 305 

(3.) Mary, born 2d mo. 22d, 1723, married James 
Thornton in 1751, and died 4th mo. 20th, 1794. 
Children : Lydia, Joseph, James, and Asa. 

(2 ) Giles and Elizabeth Knighfs Children, 

(4.) Joseph, born 12th mo. 14th, 1738, married, 
first, Eachel Townsend; second, Woolston. 

(5.) Susannah, born 9th mo. 11th, 1740, married 
James Paul. Children: James, Elizabeth, Mary, 
James and Susannah (twins), and Sarah. 

(6.)^ Abigail, born 8th mo. 11th, 1742, married 
William Walmsley in 1764, and settled in By berry. 
Children : Sarah, Giles, Mary, Joseph, and Israel. 

(7.) Giles, born 6th mo. 7th, 1745, married Sarah 
Townsend. Children : Townsend, Giles, Joseph T., 
and Thomasv 

(8.) Eebecca, born 7th mo. 9th, 1747, married 
Jonathan Parry. Children: Elizabeth, Martha, 
Phebe, Susannah, Abigail, and Jonathan. 

(9.) Mary, born 5th mo. 25th, 1750, married 
William Satterthwaite. 

(10.) Elizabeth, born 12th mo. 3d, 1752, married 
Thomas Samms. 

(11.) Abel was born 3d mo. 19th, 1755. 

(12.) Sarah was born 5th mo. 8th, 1757. 

(13.) Israel was born in Bensalem, 3d mo. 4th, 
1760 ) he married Sarah, daughter of Isaac and Es- 
ther Tyson, of Baltimore, in 1782, and settled in 
Bensalem, where, in 1799, he built the house now 
occupied by George Johnson. In 1804 he pur- 
chased 440 acres of land at Black Eiver, in the 



26* 



306 THE HISTORY OP 

northern part of IS'ew York, and with seven of his 
neighbors visited the place. He concluded, how- 
ever, to let his children settle there, while he re- 
mained at the old homestead in Bensalem, where, 
in 1805, he built the stone barn still standing. He 
was a member of the Society of Friends, and was 
much respected by a large circle of friends. He 
died 1st mo. 31st, 1810, aged 50 years. Sarah died 
4th mo. 8th, 1824, aged 66 years. Their children 
were : Abel, Isaac, Esther, Giles, George J., John, 
Nathan T., and Eliza. 

(2.) Giles and Phebe Knighfs Children. 

(14.) Asa, born in 1770, married, first, Elizabeth 
Paul, and had one child, Joseph P. He married, 
second, Grace Croasdale. Children : Elizabeth, 
Mary, and Sarah. 

(15.) Evan T., born 10th mo. 11th, 1771, married 
Martha, daughter of Isaac Comly, of Byberry. 
Children : Isaac and Phebe. 

(16.) Phebe, born 1st mo. 31st, 1773, married 
"William Walmsley. Children : Silas, Ann, and 
Martha. 

(17.) Kachel, born 1775, married Samuel Paul. 
Children: Eobert, Phebe (who married Thomas 
Stackhouse), McEldery, Ann (who married Aaron 
Kirk), and Martha, who married Samuel Kirk. 

(18.) Jesse, born 12th mo. 9th, 1779, married 
Mary Stackhouse. Children : Eichard, Phebe, 
Elizabeth, Hannah, and Ann. 

(19.) Ann, born in 1781, died in 1786. 



BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 307 



(7.) Giles and Sarah Knighfs Children. 

(20.) TowNSEND, born 11th mo. 2d, 1768 ; no ac- 
count. 

(21.) Giles, born 1st mo. 4th, 1773 ; no account. 

(22.) Joseph T., born 11th mo. 4th, 1775, mar- 
ried Grace . Children : Israel, Abi, Rachel, 

Giles, Townsend, Susannah, Joseph, Stephen, Jane, 
and Grace. 

(23.) Thomas, born 11th mo. 4th, 1775 ; no ac- 
count. " 

(13.) Israel and Sarah Knighfs Children. 

(24.) Abel, born 8th mo. 24th, 1783, married 
Elizabeth Donaldson, daughter of Isaac and Jane 
Donaldson, of Philadelphia, and granddaughter of 
John Kaighn, the original proprietor of Kaighn's 
Point, N. J. Children : Jane, Sarah, Margaret, 
Israel, Isaac, Tacy, Joseph, Charles, Elizabeth, 
Martha, and Oliver. 

(25.) Isaac, born 9th mo. 14th, 1785. He re- 
moved to Baltimore, and married Julianna Win- 
field. 

(26.) Esther, born 4th mo. 19th, 1787, married 
John Knight. ISTo children. 

(27.) Giles, born 4th mo. 16th, 1789, married 
Mary Yardley. He died in 1866. Children : Tho- 
mas, William, Sarah, Susannah, and Edward. 

(28.) George J., born 5th mo. 24th, 1791, mar- 
ried Abi Brown, niece of General Brown. They 
settled near Brownsville, N. Y. 

(29.) John, born 5th mo. 29th, 1793. He was 



308 THE HISTORY OF 

quite a traveller. He died, and was buried at sea, 
while returning from a visit to Cadiz, Spain. 

(30.) Nathan T., born 11th mo. 25th, 1796, mar- 
ried Elizabeth, daughter of Jonathan Thomas, of 
Lower Dublin. Children : Sidney, Sarah T. and 
Jonathan (twins), Ellen, Elizabeth, Mary Eliza- 
beth, Anna, and Julianna. 

(31.) Eliza, born 4th mo. 24th, 1799, married 
James Bones, and removed to Iowa. Children : 
William, Courtland, Sallie, Susan, and Eowland. 

(14.) Asa and Elizabeth Knight's Children. 

(32.) Joseph P., born 4th mo. 15th, 1796, mar- 
ried Mary La Eue. Children : Elizabeth and Sal- 
lie. 

(33.) Elizabeth, born 12th mo. 16th, 1804; mar- 
ried Jonathan Paxson, of Bensalem. They have 
no children. 

(34.) Mary, born 7th mo. 8th, 1807, married 
Joshua y. Buckman, of Bristol, Bucks County. 
Children : Elizabeth, Rebecca, and James. 

(35.) Sarah, born 12th mo. 11th, 1811, married 
James Townsend, of Bensalem. Children : Eliza- 
beth, Margaretta, and Caroline Justice. 

(15.) Eva7i and Martha Knighfs Children. 

(36.) Isaac, born 9th mo. 8th, 1797, married Ly- 
dia Stackhouse. Children: Isaac C, Evan, and 
Ethan C. 

(37.) Phebe, born 6th mo. 3d, 1802 ; died single 
10th mo. 15th, 1828. 



BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 309 

(18.) Jesse and Mary Knighfs Children. 

(38.) Richard, born 9th mo. 8th, 1809, married 
Eachel Kirk, of Horsham. Children : Jesse, Ee- 
becca, Oliver P., and Joseph. 

(39.) Phebe, born 8th mo. 24th, 1811 ; not mar- 
ried. 

(40.) Elizabeth, born 5th mo. 28th, 1813, mar- 
ried Thomas James, of Byberry. Children : Mary, 
Tacie, Hannah, Joshua C, Beulah, Edwin, Jesse 
K., Alvin, and Mary Elizabeth. 

(41.) Hannah, born 1st mo, 13th, 1818; died 4th 
mo. 22, 1832. 

(42.) Ann, born 10th mo. 9th, 1821, married Oli- 
ver Parry, of Byberry. Children : Mary S. and 
Elizabeth. 

THOMAS KNIGHT. 

Thomas, son of Giles and Mary Knight, was 
born in Byberry, in 1685. He married Sarah Clif- 
ton, in 1711, and settled on a farm belonging to 
Titan Leeds, the almanac-maker ; but some time 
afterwards moved to Byberry, and located on the 
farm now owned by Isaac Tomlinson, where he 
died in 1774, aged 89 years. They had one child, 
which died in infancy. Thomas, by prudent man- 
agement, acquired considerable property. He was 
at one time an Overseer in Byberry Meeting, but 
was probably not very remarkable for piety, as he 
said in an argument on the Conestoga Massacre : 
'' That it was nonsense to talk of such creatures as 
the Indians having souls or a future being." In 



310 THE HISTORY OF 

1732 he went on a voyage to Barbadoes with Tho- 
mas Chalkley. 

DANIEL KNIGHT, AND HIS DESCENDANTS. 

(1.) Daniel, son of Giles and Mary Knight, was 
born in 1697. He lived in the southern part of 
By berry, near the Poquessing Creek. He married, 
first, Elizabeth Walker, in 1719. Children: Mary, 
Joseph, and Jonathan. He married, second, Es- 
ther, widow of Joseph Walton, in 1728. Children: 
William, Daniel, Martha, Joseph, Ann, and Tho- 
mas. After Esther's death he married, third, Mary 
Wilson, in 1777. He was a man of good under- 
standing and sound judgment, and much esteemed 
by those who knew him. He died in 1782, aged 
85 years. 

(1.) Daniel and Elizabeth KnigMs Children. 

(2.) Mary, born 11th mo. 23d, 1719, married Da- 
vid Buckman, of Wrightstown, in 1742. 

(3.) Joseph, was born 2d mo. 4th, 1721; no fur- 
ther account. 

(4.) Jonathan, born 8th mo. 5th, 1722, married 
Grace Croasdale, and settled in Southampton, 
Bucks County. Children : John, Abraham, Absa- 
lom, David, Samuel, and Inglish. 

(1.) Daniel and Esther KnighVs Children. 

(5.) William, was born 9th mo. 27th, 1729. He 
was somewhat singular in his habits, and would 
utter predictions which were afterwards so nearly 



BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 311 

fulfilled that many persons believed that he had a 
knowledge of future events, and they looked upon 
him as more than an ordinary being. He died in 
1782, aged 53 years. Children : Daniel, Joseph, 
Hannah, and Esther. 

(6.) Daniel, born 7th mo. 8th, 1732, married 
Ann . 

(7.) Martha, born 9th mo., 17th, 1736, married 
Henry Walmsley, in 1759. 

(8.) Joseph, born 1st mo. 7th, 1739, married 
Elizabeth James, in 1765. Children: James, Joseph, 
Jesse, and Josiah. "^ 

(9.) Ann, born 12th mo. 15th, 1741, married 
Daniel Walton, in 1768. Children : Jane, Mercy, 
and Daniel. 

(10.) Thomas, born 7th mo. 7th, 1744, married 
Sarah Walton. Children : Amos, Eebecca, and 
Esther. 

(4.) Jonathan and Grace Knighfs Children. 

(11.) John, born 8th mo. 13th, 1749, married 
Margery Paxson. Children : Mary, Joshua, Caleb, 
Martha, and David. 

(12.) Abraham, born 3d mo. 28th, 1752, married 
Anna Croasdale. Children : Asa, Abraham, Sarah, 
Susanna, Phineas, Jonathan, Ezra, Grace, and Eliz- 
abeth. 

(13.) Absalom, born 9th mo. 17th, 1754, married 
Ann Winder. Children : Benjamin, Amos, Moses, 
John, Grace, Abel, and Samuel. 

(14.) David, born 5th mo. 27th, 1757; died 
single. 



X 



312 THE HISTORY OF 

(15.) Samuel, married Mary Paul. Children: 
Alexander, Hannah, and Julia. 

(16.) Inglish, married Martha Shallcross, and 
settled in Byberry. Children: Leonard, Seth, Euth, 
Owen, Hannah, Samuel, Jonathan, and Anna. 

(10.) Thomas and Sarah KnighVs Children. 

(17.) Amos, born Ist mo. 14th, 1772, married Ee- 
becca Dubre. Children : Dubre, who lives in Wil- 
mington; Julianna, Marmaduke, Beulah, Jacob, 
and Emmor. 

(18.) Eebecca, born 5th mo. 3d, 1774, married 
Thomas Dubre. Children : Hannah, Sarah, and 
Martha. 

(19.) Esther, born 8th mo. 18th, 1776. 

(11.) John and Margery KnighVs Children. 

(20.) Mary, married John Wild man, and settled 
in Bensalem. Children : Charles ; Martha ] Ann, 
died single; Elwood, married Mary Thomas; John, 
married Abigail Thompson ; Mary, married Tho- 
mas Smedley ; Edward, married first, Abi Gilbert, 
second, Elizabeth Newbold ; Joshua K., married 
Hannah Johnson ; Jane, died single ; Eachel^ mar- 
ried Hughes Warner. 

(21.) Caleb, married Mary Stackhouse. Chil- 
dren: Phebe, died single; Jane, married Edward 
Croasdale; Elizabeth, married Isaac Eyre; Abi; 
and Mary Ann. 

(22.) David, married Sallie Brown, Children : 
Henry, and Edward, 



BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 313 

(12.) Abraham and Anna Xnighfs Children. 

(23.) Asa, died single, in 1866. 

(24.) Abraham, married Sarah Winder, in 1811, 
and settled in Moreland, Montgomery County. 
Children : Anna, married, first, Charles Blake, in 
1885 ; second, she married Isaac A. Davis, in 1856, 
^nd now resides in Philadelphia; Mary Ann, mar- 
ried WilkinsHobensack. Child: Anna. EzraCroas- 
dale, married Catharine Yerkes. Children: Sarah, 
Chancellor, Susan, Abraham, George, and Laura; 
Elizabeth, married Alfred Thomas, Children : Anna, 
Hannah, William, Samuel, Oscar, Martha, Charles, 
and Abraham ; Susan, married Fitzwater Lukens. 
Children : Tacie, Sarah, and Charles. 

(25.) Phineas, married Mary Eidge. Children : 
Sarah Ann, Hannah, Charles, Ann Eliza, and Julia. 
Of these, Charles married Eebecca Buckman ; and 
Ann Eliza married Abraham Hogeland, of Bustle- 
tpn. 

(13.) Abraham and Ann Knighfs Children, 

(26.) Benjamin, married Mercy, daughter of 
Amos Martindale, and lived in Southampton, 
Bucks County. Children : Paul, Absalom, Eoss M., 
Aaron, Samuel, Eebecca, and Martha Ann. 

(27.) Amos, married Mary Clayton. Children : 
Mary, Clayton, Ann, Eebecca, Jonathan, and 
Grace. 

(28.) Moses, married Ehoda Tomlinson. Child ; 
Sarah Ann, 

27 



314 THE HISTORY OP 

(29.) John, married Esther Knight. They had 
no children. 

(30.) Grace, married Joshua PauL Child: Ann. 
(31.) Abel. 
(32.) Samuel. 

(15.) Samuel and Mary Knighfs Children. 

Alexander, was born in Byberry and received 
his early education at Byberry school, under the 
tuition of Watson Atkinson and John Comly. Un- 
der the latter teacher he studied Latin, and became 
well versed in that language. Being of a scientific 
turn of mind, he studied medicine and graduated 
at the University of Pennsylvania with honor. He 
became a physician of skill and respectability, and 
resided for a short time in Byberry. He then went 
to Philadelj)hia, where he obtained a good practice, 
and was appointed physician of that port. He 
published several essays on medical subjects, which 
evinced considerable scientific acumen. His prom- 
ising life was closed at the early age of thirty-five 
years. He married Mary Knorr. Children : Eliza- 
beth, Amelia, George. 

Julia, married Charles Stout. 

(16.) Inglish and MaHha Knighfs Children. 

Leonard, married Ruth , and lived in By- 
berry. Children : Elizabeth, Hannah, Inglish, and 
Edward. 

Seth, died single. 

EuTH, married John Tomlinson, and lives in By- 
berry. Children : Martha, Samuel, and Julia. 



BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 315 

Owen, married a daughter of Joseph Eeese, and 
lives near Somerton, Byberry. Children: Mary 
Ann, Catharine, and Charles. 

Hannah, married James Walmsley of Byberry. 

Samuel, married Phebe Tomliuson and had one 
son, Aaron. 

Jonathan, married Letitia Leedom, and had one 
child, Eachel. 

JONATHAN KNIGHT AND HIS DESCENDANTS. 

(1.) Jonathan, son of Giles and Mary Knight, 
married Jane Allen, and settled in Byberry on 
property lately owned by Ebenezer Knight. " He 
was a man of very pleasant and agreeable man- 
ners, graceful in his movements, and nice in his 
personal appearance. His fine sense of the pro- 
prieties of life, combined with his polished man- 
ners and a social liberality, made him generally 
esteemed, respected, and beloved. He was often 
called ' Gentleman Jonathan' to distinguish him 
from another of the same name. He took a lively 
interest in the support of schools, and in other 
matters of benefit to the meeting or the town- 
ship." He died 5th mo. 1st, 1745, and his wife died 
soon afterwards. Children : Jonathan, Mary, and 
Thomas. 

(1.) Jonathan and Mary Knight's Children. 

(2.) Jonathan, born 4th mo. 5th, 1730, married, 
first, Ann Paul, in 1748. Children: James, Jona- 
than, Daniel, Sarah, Tacy, Mary, Jane, Thomas, 



316 THE HISTORY OP 

Ann, and Paul. He afterwards married, second, 
Margaret Baldwin, and, third, Martha Lloyd. 

(3.) Mary, born 3d mo. 1734, died single in 1759. 

(4.) Thomas, born 9th mo. 1736, married Mary 
Walmsley in 1759, but had no children. He pur- 
chased 240 acres of land, in Byberry, of Benjamin 
Gilbert, and settled thereon. During the Eevolu- 
tion his barn was burned by the soldiers under 
General Lacy. He died in 1806. 

(2.) Jonathan and Ann Knighfs Children. 

(5.) James, born 8th mo. 16th, 1753, married 
Gaynor Lukens. He died in 1784. 

(6.) Jonathan, born 11th mo. 6th, 1755, married 
Eliza Thomas. He died in 1830. Children : Anna, 
Jonathan T., Evan, Grace, Hannah, and Edwin. 

(7.) Daniel, born 4th mo. 8th, 1757, married 
Eachel Walton. He died in 1821. Children : Sa- 
rah, Ann, Margaret, James, Charles, Ebenezer, 
Lydia, Hannah, Thomas, Mary, Paul, Allen, and 
Eobert B. 

(8.) Sarah, married John Stackhouse. She died 
in 1838. 

(9.) Tacy, married Robert Croasdale. 

(10.) Mary, married Josiah Costill. 

(11.) Jane, married Joseph Bolton. Children: 
Tacy and Isaac. 

(12.) Thomas, born 9th mo. 1st, 1769, married 
Mary Worrell. He died in 1824. Children : Jona- 
than, Elizabeth, Ann,. Rebecca, Isaiah, William, 
and Stephen. 



BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 317 

(13.) Ann, married Benjamin Albertson. She 
died in 1828. 

(14.) Paul, married Eliza Boucher. 

(6.) Jonathan and Eliza Knighfs Children. 

(15.) Anna, born 6th mo. 6th, 1789; died 9th 
mo. 9th, 1801. 

(16.) Jonathan T., born 11th mo. 21st, 1791, 
married Elizabeth, daughter of Jesse Wilson, and 
settled in Byberrj". He was a prominent politician, 
and served several terms in the Pennsylvania Leg- 
islature. He was afterwards an Associate Judge 
in Philadelphia. During the latter part of his life 
he was of full habit, and took but little part in 
public affairs. He died in Philadelphia in 1858, 
aged 67 j^ears. Their children were Amy, Ann 
Eliza, Edwin, Jesse W., Grace, Wilson, Amos W., 
and Paulina Jane. 

(17.) Evan, born 5th mo. 8th, 1793, married 
Martha James, and settled in the southern part of 
Byberry. Children : Elizabeth T., Phebe Ann, 
Mary Ann, Jonathan, and Tacy. After his death, 
Martha married Ebenezer, son of (7) Daniel Knight. 
Children : Evan and Samuel. 

(18.) Grace, born 6th mo. 3d, 1795, married 
Samuel Smedley, but had no children. 

(19.) Hannah, was born 1st mo. 5th, 1798. 

(20.) Edwin, born 9th mo. 3d, 1800; died 8th 
mo. 19th, 1803. 



27^ 



318 THE HISTORY OP 

(7.) Daniel and Rachel KnighVs Children^ 

(21.) Sarah, born 2d mo. Sth, 1783, remained 
single. 

(22.) Ann, born 10th mo. 5th, 1784, married 
Samuel Smedley, but had ho children. 

(23.) Margaret, born 8th mo. 22d, 1786, re- 
mained single. 

(24.) James, born 5th mo. 28d, 1788, married 
Edith Plumly and had one child, Rachel, who died 
of cholera in 1849. 

(25.) Charles, born 3d mo. 13th, 1790, married 
Jane Hillborn, and settled in Byberry. Children : 
Daniel, Hillborn, Charles, Euth Ann, Emily, Mar- 
garet, and Janc; 

(26.) Ebenezer, born 11th mo. 14th, 1791, mar- 
ried Martha, Avidow of (17) Evan Knight. Chil- 
dren : Evan and Samuel. 

(27.) Lydia, born 1st mo. 4th, 1794, married 
Stephenson Croasdale, and settled in Byberry. 
Children : Eachel, Anne B., Margaret, Joseph S., 
Jane, "Willis, and Sarah. 

(28.) Hannah, born 3d mo. 7th, 1796: died 8th 
mo. 5th, 1796. 

(29.) Thomas, born 5th mo. 3d, 1798; died 8th 
mo. 10th, 1798. 

(30.) Mary, born 11th mo. 28th, 1799; died 3d 
mo. 10th, IbOO. 

(810- Paul, was born 4th mo. 25th, 1801. 

(32.) Allen, born 8th mo. 30th, 1805, married 
Elizabeth Parry, and had one child, Edward. 



BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 319 

(33.) Egbert B., born 1st mo. 22d, 1809 ; died 
unmarried. 

Of (12) Thomas and Mary Knight's children we 
have no account. 

Three half brothers of the ancient Giles Knight 
came over to Pennsylvania probably about 1683. 
Their names were Benjamin, Abel, and John. 
Benjamin settled in Betisalem, but we have no 
further account of him. Abel went to North Caro- 
lina, where his descendants still reside. John went 
to Massachusetts. His descendants are quite nu- 
merous, and may be found scattered all over the 
'New England States and in Canada. Some of 
them were quite noted, among these was Jeremiah 
K. Knight, a Senator in Congress from Ehode 
Island. In the list of pensioners on account of ser- 
vices in the Eevolution are more than twenty of 
the name of Knight. 

THE MARTINDALE FAMILY.* 

(1.) John MARTiNDELL,f the ancestor of the 
family in America, was born 8th mo» 24th, 1676. 
He married Mary Bridgman, daughter of Walter 
Bridgnian and Blanche Constable, who came from 
England in 1684, and located near Newtown, Bucks 
County. Mary died 12th mo. 7th, 1726. Children : 
William, Thomas, Ann, Mary, Alabrethe, and John. 

* t am indebted to Thomas Warner, of Wrightstown, for much 
of this account. 

t Usually so spelled in the old records^ 



320 THE HISTORY OP 

(1.) John and Mary Martindale^s Children. 

(2.) William went to South Carolina. 

(3.) John, born 6th mo. 22d, 1719, married Mary 
Strickland, 2d mo. 9th, 1746. Children : Joseph, 
John, William, Eachel, Sarah, Miles, Strickland, 
Amos, Jonathan, Thomas, Isaac, and Mary. 

(3.) John and Mary Martindale's Children. 

(4.) Joseph, born 6th mo. 20th, 1747, married, 
first:, Hannah Buckman, and had one daughter, 
Hannah; he married, second, Sarah Merrick. 
Children : Joseph, Martha, Thomas, and Isaac. 

(5.) John, born 12th mo. 15th, 1749, married 
Ann Lambert. Children : John, Amos, Ann, Jesse, 
Eichard, Mary, Mahlon, and Phineas. 

(6.) William, born 6th mo. 2d, 1751, married 
Esther Buckman. Children : Jacob, Mary, Esther, 
William, Amos, Samuel, Sarah, Eachel, and Han- 
nah. 

(7.) Eachel, born 10th mo. 1st, 1752, married 
Charles Eeeder. Children : Joseph, Mary, and 
Amos. 

(8.) Sarah, born 10th mo. 13th, 1754, married 
Matthias Harvey, but had no children. 

(9.) Miles, born 6th mo. 2d, 1757, married Su- 
sannah Harvey. Children : John, Margaret, Mary, 
Susannah, Lucy, Thomas, Jane, Eobert H., Sarah, 
Isaiah, and two others. 

(10.) Strickland, born 6th mo. 19th, 1759, mar- 
ried Sarah Sands. Children : Mary, Eachel, Sarah, 
Jane, William, Hannah, Ann, and Beulah. 



BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 321 

(11.) Amos, born 8tb mo. 10th, 1761, married 
Martha, daughter of Thomas Merrick, of Upper 
Wakefield, m 1789. Children : Hannah, Tacy, Ab- 
ner, Amos, Charles, Thomas E., Mercy, Martha, 
Lucy Ann, and Mary. 

(12.) Jonathan, born 7th mo. 10th, 1763, married 
Rachel Morgan. Children : Isaac, Jonathan, Char- 
ity, Samuel, John, Eachel, Elizabeth, Mary, 
Phineas, and Frances. 

(13.) Thomas, born 1765, married, first, Mary 
Boothe. Children : William, Sarah, Rebecca, Tho- 
mas, and Mary. His wife died, and at the age of 
82 he married, second, Sarah Ann Conrad, aged 
22, by whom he had two or three children* 

(14.) Isaac, born 12th mo. 2d, 1767, married 
Rachel Bonham. Children : Esther, Elijah, Mary, 
and Sarah. 

(15.) Mary, born 1st mo. 16th, 1769, married 
Isaiah Morgan. Children : Samuel, Isaiah, Mary, 
Sarah, Amos, Joshua, Miles, Rachel, Charity, and 
William. 

(4.) Joseph Martindale^s Children. 

(16.) Hannah married Robert Jolly. Children : 
Hannah, Robert, Joseph, Rachelj Martha, Sarah, 
Jane, Phebe, Eliza, and Samuel. 

(17.) Joseph married Jemima Ingham. Chil- 
dren : Cyrus, Martha, Sarah, Joseph, John, Lydia 
Ann, Lewis, and Charles. 

(18.) Martha married Amos Corson. Children: 
Sarah, Benjamin, and Richard. 



322 THE HISTORY OP 

(10.) Isaac married Sarah Hagerman, and had 
two children. 

(4.) John and Ann MartindaWs Children. 

(20.) John married Charity Wilson. Children : 
Wilson, Wakefield, and Ann. 

(21.) Amos married Susannah Lambert. Chil- 
dren : Lander, John, Lambert, Amos, Alfred, Mah- 
lon, and Charles. 

(22.) Ann married Peter Wilson. Children : 
John, Samuel, Wakefield, Sarah, and Ann. 

(23.) EiCHARD married Ann Wallace. Children : 
Mahlon, Charlotte, Mary Ann, Harriet, John, Ma- 
randa, Martha, David, Ann, Eichard, Franklin, 
Charles, Louisa, James, and one other. 

(24.) Mary married John Carver. Children : 
Keziah Maria, Amos, Yardley, Caroline, Mary, 
Jesse, Oliver, John, Aden, Eebecca, Wilson, Mar- 
gery Ann, Cynthia, and two others. 

(25.) Mahlon married and had five children. 

(26.) Phineas married and had children : Sarah 
Ann, Martha, Hannah, Francis, Nelson, and Henry. 

(6.) William and Esther MartindaWs Children. 

(27.) Jacob married Ann Bonham. Children : 
Levi, Ivy, Abraham, William, Hannah, Frances, 
and Ann. 

(28.) Mary married Benjamin Leedom. Chil- 
dren : Elizabeth, Ann, William, Alice, Elijah, Ben- 
jamin, Amos, Sarah, Hannah, John, and Samuel. 

(29.) Esther married Thomas Harvey. Chil- 



BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 323 

dren: Harriet, Belinda, Joseph, William, Sarah 
Ann, Elizabeth, Eebecca, Mary Ellen, Susan, and 
Letitia. 

(30.) William married Sarah Morgan. Children : 
Garret, Newkirk, William Elwell, and Abigail Ann. 

(31.) Amos married Sarah Xinsey, but had no 
children. 

(32.) Samuel married, first, Hannah Briggs. 
Children : Albert G., Elizabeth, and Lucilla. He 
married, second, Martha Landis. Children : Sam- 
uel, William George, and Amanda J^Ielvinia B. 

(33.) Sarah married Thomas Betts. Children : 
William, Matilda, Cyrus, Tamar, Hannah, and Ee- 
becca. 

(34.) Hannah married Amos Wilkinson. Chil- 
dren : Esther, Eachel, Eoss, William Eyan, Ellen, 
and Gertrude. 

(9.) Miles and Susannah Martindale's Children. 

(35.) Margaret married Eichard Neal. Chil- 
dren : Susannah, Priscilla, Miles, Hannah, Mary, 
Elizabeth, and John. 

(36.) Susannah married John Tomlinson. Chil- 
dren : Miles, Asher, Cynthia, Lucy, John, Susan- 
nah, Alfred, iSliza, Mary, and Harvey. 

(37.) Thomas married Mary Warner. Children: 
Warner, Adaline, Anne, Susannah, and Eliza. 

(38.) Egbert H. married Elizabeth Doan : Chil- 
dren : Jane, Jesse, and George. 

(10.) Strickland and Sarah Martindale^s Children. 

(39.) Mary married Cornelius Carver. Children; 
Eebecca and Sarah Ann. 



324 THE HISTORY OF 

(40.) Sarah married Isaac Carver, and had one 
child, George AY. 

(41.) Jane married Thomas Goslin, and had one 
child, Sarah. 

(42.) AViLLiAM married Hannah Holcomb, 

(43.) Hannah married Charlea Watson. 

(44.) Rachel married David Carver. 

(45.) Ann married Miles Carver. 

(11.) Amos and Martha Martindale's Children. 

(46.) Hannah, born 4th mo. 19th, 1790, died 
single, 1st mo. 7th, 1841. 

(47.) Tacy, born 2d mo. 21st, 1792, married Jo- 
seph Jenkins, of Abington. She died 8th mo. 10th, 
1857. Children : John, Martha, and Mahala. 

(48.) Abner, born 9th mo. 3d, 1794, married, 
first, Ann Dubre. Children : Amos, Eachel, Ange^ 
line, and Martha. He married, second, Eliza Bou- 
cher, and moved to Indiana in 1838. 

(49.) Amos, born 3d mo, 27th, 1797, died 9th mo. 
2d, 1821. 

(50.) David, born 8th mo. 3d, 1799, died 7th mo. 
7th, 1801. 

(51.) Charles, born 10th mo. 24th, 1801, married 
Phebe, daughter of Joseph Comly, and lives in By- 
berry. Children : Watson C, Martha K., Joseph 
C, Elizabeth C, Annie L., Tacie, Isaac C, and 
Charles P. 

(52.) Thomas R., born 2d mo. 13th, 1804, mar- 
ried Ellen, daughter of Andrew Singley. Children : 
Samuel, Mary, Ellen, Amos, Rebecca, Alice, and 
Hannah Ann, They reside in Maryland, 



BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 325 

(53.) Mercy B. married Benjamin Knight. Chil- 
dren : Joshua Paul, Absalom, Ross M., Aaron, Sam- 
uel, Eebecca, and Martha Ann. 

(54.) Lucy Ann, born 8th mo. 13th, 1808, died 
single, 12th mo. 5th, 1857. 

(55.) Martha, born 12th mo. 13th, 1810, married 
James Walmsley, in 1839, and lives in Byberry. 

(12.) Jonathan and Rachel MartindaWs Children. 

(56.) Samuel, married Ann Yard. Children : 
Samuel, Elizabeth, and Rachel. 

(57.) John, married, first, Beulah Hagerman. 
Children : Beulah and Martha. Second, he mar- 
ried Jane Hogeland. Children : Mary Ann, Jona- 
than, Rachel, Jacob, and John. 

(58.) Rachel, married John Chambers. Chil- 
dren : Mary, Elizabeth, Rachel, Phebe, and Fanny. 

(59.) Elizabeth, married Peter Rozel, and had 
one child, Jonathan. 

(60.) Mary, married James Girton. Children : 
Rachel, Samuel, James, Sarah Ann, Garret B., and 
Hutchinson. 

(61.) Phineas, married, first, Elizabeth Yerkes. 
Children : William, Rachel, Elizabeth, Ann, and 
Jonathan. Second, he married Elizabeth Ruther- 
ford, by whom he had one child. 

(62.) Frances, married Charles McNeal. Chil- 
dren : Rebecca, James, Charles, Amos, Elizabeth, 
and Ann. 



28 



326 THE HISTORY OF 

(13.) Thomas and Mary MartindaWs Children. 

(63.) Sarah, married John Yanhorn. Cliildren : 
Thomas and one other. 

(64.) Eebecca, married William Pearson. 

(14.) Isaac ayid Rachel MartindaWs Cliildren. 

(65.) Esther, married Garret D. Percy. Chil- 
dren : Watson, Isaac, and Mary Jane. 

(66.) Elijah, married Sarah Ann Harvey. 

(67.) Mary, married William Hellyer, and had 
one child, Isaac. 

(68.) Sarah, married Joseph Martindale, and 
had three children. 



THE SAUEMAN FAMILY. 

The primitive ancestor of this family in America 
was (1) Philip Saurman, by trade a shoemaker, 
who came over from Germany about 1743. Du- 
ring the Revolutionary struggle he was a soldier 
in Washington's army, and fell a martyr to his 
country. He left four children, Peter, Jacob, Philip, 
and Martin. 

(1.) Philip JSaurman's Children. 

(2.) Peter, was born in Germany, and at the 
time of immigration to America was about three 
years old. He learned the trade of shoemaking 
from his father, but having a taste for military 



BYBERRY AND MORE LAND. 327 

life, he entered the British army during the latter 
part of the French and Indian War, and served 
therein about one year. He then returned to Phil- 
adelphia, where he followed his occupation until 
the Revolutionary War, when he entered the army 
under Washington. He remained with it until it 
was disbanded in 1783, and although he was in all 
the battles fought by it, yet he w^as never wounded 
nor taken prisoner, and never sick during the whole 
time. On the evening preceding the battle of the 
Billet he obtained leave of absence to visit the 
young lady afterwards his wife, who was then re- 
siding at Thomas Wood's house, near Hatboro'. 
He remained here all night, and early the follow- 
ing morning he saw an English soldier, armed with 
a musket, coming up the lane. He immediately 
secreted himself behind a large cherry tree, and 
waited until the soldier walked past, when he 
stepped out and ordered him to surrender, at the 
same time presenting a pistol. The summons was 
obeyed, and the English soldier became a prisoner. 
Upon examining the captive's gun, it was found to 
be filled with mud and water. Upon the principle 
that " to the victors belong the spoils," Peter 
cleaned the gun and loaded it with three buckshot 
and a bullet, after which he started towards Hart's 
(William Hallowell's) Mill, where he saw five En- 
glish soldiers along the roadside dividing their 
booty. He attempted to shoot them, but the gun 
missed fire, and he was forced to run for his life. As 
he leaped over a fence the British fired at him, one 
ball passing through his coat pocket, and two others 



328 THE HISTORY OT 

striking the fence near him, but he escaped unhurt. 
After serving his country faithfully during the war, 
he returned to his trade, and located on the Pen- 
nypack, near what is now John Shelmire's Mill, in 
Moreland, Montgomery County. In 1788, he moved 
to Hatboro', and in 1795 to Bucks County, where 
he commenced farming. In 1804, he purchased a 
farm of ninety-four acres, near the Sorrel Horse, 
for $46.62 per acre, where he remained until 1812, 
when he sold out and went to the West. He died 
there in 1830, aged about 90 years. He married 
Margery, daughter of Josiah Yerkes, of Moreland. 
She died in 1835. Their children were, Ann, Jo- 
siah, Mary, Eebecca, Jacob, Yerkes, and Jonathan. 

(3.) Jacob and (4) Philip, resided in Philadel- 
phia until the Pevolutionary War, when they en- 
tered the Continental Army, and were both slain 
during the struggle. 

(5.) Martin, was born in Philadelphia. He was 
a hatter by trade, his place of business being in 
Second Street, between Pace and Yine. He mar- 
ried Eosanna Essler, of Philadelphia. Children : 
Maria, John, Jacob, Martin, William, Sophia, and 
Thomas. 

(2.) Peter and Margery Saurman's Children. 

(6.) Ann, married James Yansant, of Somerton, 
Twenty-third Ward, Philadelphia. He was a car- 
penter, and sometime after his marriage moved to 
Trenton, and still later to Philadelphia. Ann died 
in 1845. Children: Thomas Jefferson, Julia Ann, 
Cornelius, Austin, and Alfred. 



BYBERRY AND MOREL AND. 329 

(7.) JosiAH, learned the shoemaker trade, and 
went to West Virginia, where he married. In 1840 
he removed to Sandusky County, Ohio. Children : 
Mary Ann, Elizabeth, Archibald, Ebenezer, and 
two or three others. 

(8.) Mary, remained single; still living. 

(9.) Eebecca, remained single. She died in 1859, 
aged 75 3^ears. 

(10.) Jacob, was born in Moreland, Montgomery 
County, April 14, 1789. He married Sarah, daugh- 
ter of Daniel Hallowell, in 1819, and settled in 
Cheltenham. In 1823, he moved to a farm in 
Moreland, Philadelphia, which he afterwards pur- 
chased. He remained on this farm until within a 
short period of his death. During his entire life 
he was an ardent Democrat, and much attached to 
the principles of that party. He took an active 
part in the local affairs of the township in which 
he lived, and was frequently called upon to fill the 
various local offices. He was a warm friend to 
public education, and was one of the first Directors 
under the Public School system in Moreland. He 
favored every work of public improvement, and 
fully kept pace with the age in which he lived. In 
1853, he was elected a member of Common Council, 
in Philadelphia, and served one term. In 1864, he 
removed to Philadelphia, where he died, July 27, 
1865, aged 76 years, much respected by a large 
circle of friends. His children are, George W., 
Charles E., Mary L., Caroline W., Ellen L., Norris 
S., John W., and Benjamin F. 

(11.) Yerkes, was born in Moreland, January 

28* 



330 THE HISTORY OF 

20, 1791. He went to Philadelphia, where he 
learned the trade of copper-plate printer, which he 
followed for several years, after which he became 
a real estate agent. He married Mrs. Martha 
Brown, who had two children, Susanna and Jo- 
seph. By her he had the following children : Ma- 
ria, Angeline, Eebecca, Abner, Amanda^ and Madi- 
son. 

(12.) Jonathan, married Sarah McChan, and 
settled in Chester County, where he resided for 
several years, after which he moved to Abington, 
and thence to Philadelphia. AYhile in Philadelphia 
he was occupied as a pump-maker, and was killed 
in 1850, while blowing the rocks in a well which 
he was digging. Children : Sarah Ann, Mary, 
Caroline, Augustus, George, and William. 

(5.) Martin and Bosayina Saurman's Children. 

(13.) Maria, died of yellow fever in 1794; un- 
married. 



THE TOWNSEiq^D FAMILY.* 

(1.) Thomas Townsend, and Sarah, his wife, 
came from Westbury, Long Island, and settled in 
Chester County, Pennsylvania, previous to 1734. 
They had seven children : Hannah, Thomas, Na- 
thaniel, Sarah, Phebe, Thomas, and John. After 
the death of (1) Thomas, Sarah, with her children, 

* Furnished by Watson Comly, of Byberry. 



BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 331 

Sarahj Thomas, and John, removed to Byberry, in 
1735. She subsequently mari-ied George James, 
but had no children. She died 1st mo. 25th, 1773, 
aged 82 years. 

(1.) Thomas and Sarah Townsend's Children. 

Of Hannah, Nathaniel, and Phebe, we have 
no account. 

(2.) Sarah, born 12th mo. 26th, 1713, married 
Silas Titus, from Long Island, and settled in By- 
berry. Children : Nathaniel and Silas, both of 
whom died of small-pox, in 1757; and Phebe, who 
married Edward Parry, who for many years kept 
the hotel at Bell's Corner. 

(3.) Thomas, born 8th mo. 5th, 1720, settled on 
lands adjoining the Poquessing Creek, where he 
built a saw-mill. He married Elizabeth, daughter 
of Evan and Eachel Thomas. Children : Eachel, 
Sarah, Martha, Evan, Ann, Hannah, Thomas, 
Jesse, Phebe, Elizabeth, and Samuel. He died 
12th mo. 28th, 1794; and Elizabeth died 8th mo. 
21st, 1769, aged 49 years. 

(4.) John, born 1st mo. 7th, 1724, purchased a 
property on the Poquessing, adjoining that belong- 
ing to Thomas, on which he erected a flour-mill. 
Here he spent his life. He married Grace, daugh- 
ter of Jeremiah Croasdale, of Bucks County, and 
settled on the Poquessing Creek, in Byberry. He 
was remarkable for the regularity of his temper 
and conduct through^ the whole course of his life, 
which was consistent with his high professions, he 
being a member of Byberry Monthly Meeting, and 



332 THE HISTORY OF 

occupying the station of Elder for nearly forty 
years. In 1768 he was appointed Clerk of the 
Meeting, which station he filled with more than 
ordinary ability. In all the concerns of civil and 
social duty he supported the character of a sincere 
and well-meaning man, and was universally re- 
spected and beloved. He was greatly interested 
in the education of youth, and much of the effici- 
ency of Friends' school at Byberry was owing to 
his care and attention. As an author, he possessed 
more than ordinary ability, and two excellent es- 
says of his were published in " Friends' Miscel- 
lany." He died 4th mo. 5th, 1800, aged 76 years. 
She died 6th mo. 23d, 1803. Children : Phebe, Sa- 
rah, Ezra, and John. 

(3.) Thomas and Elizabeth Toivnsend's Children. 

(5.) Eachel, born 11th mo. 26th, 1742, married 
Joseph Knight. She died in 1769. 

(6.) Sarah, born 6th mo. 4th, 1744, married G-iles 
Knight. She died 11th mo. 27th, 1775. Children : 
Townsend, Giles, Joseph T., and Thomas. 

(7.) Martha, born 6th mo. 10th, 1746; died 8th 
mo. 28th, 1769. 

(8.) Evan, born 8th mo. 14th, 1748, married Abi 
James. He died 12th mo. 24th, 1824. She died in 
June, 1819. Children : Thomas, Margery, John, 
Elizabeth, Rachel, Eobert, Evan, Abi, and Martha. 

(9.) Thomas, born 1st mo. 10th, 1756; died 9th 
mo. 8th, 1769. 

(10.) Jesse, born 2d mo. 15th, 1758; died in 1769. 

(11.) Phebe, born 12th mo. 20th, 1760, married 



BY BERRY AND MORELAND. 333 

Jesse James. She died 9th mo. 25th, 1832. Chil- 
dren : Samuel, Thomas, Elizabeth, Mary, Joanna, 
Jesse, Phebe, and Abi. 

(4.) John and Grace TownsencVs Children. 

(12.) Phebe, born 5th mo. 7th, 1746; died, un- 
married, 10th mo. 8th, 1783. 

(13.) Sarah, born 8th mo. 29th, 1748 ; died, un- 
married, 3d mo. 2d, 1770. 

(14.) Ezra, born 4th mo. 14th, 1760, married 
Elizabeth, daughter of James and Susannah Paul, 
and settled on the old homestead. Few men stood 
higher in the estimation of the community than 
Ezra Townsend. His children were, John P., 
James, Grace, Susan, Sarah, Elizabeth, Tacy, and 
Ezra. 

(8.) Evan and Abi Townsend's Children. 

(15.) Thomas, born 9th mo. 3d, 1773, married 
• EHzabeth Strickland. They removed to Black 
Eiver, JSTew York. Children : Jesse, Sarah, Ann, 
"^^^ Thomas, and Abi. 

^ (16.) Margery, born 6th mo. 24th, 1775, married 
William Walmsley. She died 2d mo. 1st, 1832. 
Children : Eobert and Jesse. 

(17.) John, born 3d mo. 1st, 1777, married Ase- 
^-. nath Strickland, and went to Black Eiver. Chil- 
^;{ dren : Eobert, Mary, Martha, Ezra, John, Evan, 
^ and Abi. 

^ (18.) Elizabeth, born 6th mo. 3d, 1779, married 

^ Isaac Bolton, and went to Lancaster County, Penn- 



334 THE HISTORY OP 

sylvania. Children : Evan, Sarah, Abi, Jason, and 
Elizabeth. 

(19.) Evan, born 4th mo. 25th, 1788, married 
Elizabeth Carver. He died in 1846. Children : 
Thomas, Abi, Mary, Mahlon, "William, and Sarah. 

(14.) Ezra and Elizabeth Townsend's Children. 

(20.) John P., born 6th mo. 10th, 1787, married 
Eachel Wilson. Children : Ezra, W^ilson and Paul, 
twins, Jesse, Grace and Sallie Ann, twins, and 
Eachel. 

(21.) James, born 1st mo. 12th, 1789, married, 
first, Eliza Eaison, and had one child, Tacie. He 
married, second, Sarah Knight. Children : Eliza- 
beth, Maggie, and Carrie. 

(22.) Susan, married Israel Walton. 

(23.) Sarah, married Benjamin Cadwalader. 
Children : Hannah, who married Jonathan Gillani ; 
and Elizabeth, who married Joseph Comly. 

(24.) Grace, married James Thornton. 

(25.) Elizabeth, married Warder Cresson. Chil- 
dren : Ezra, John, Jacob, Clement, and Anna Bella. 

(26.) Tacy, married Charles Walrasley. Chil- 
dren : Elizabeth, Agues, Susan, and Beulah. 

THE THOENTON FAMILY. 

James, son of James Thornton, was born at 
Stony-Stratford, Buckinghamshire, England, in 
1727, and came over to America in 1750. In 1752 
he took up his residence in Byberry, having j)ur- 
chased the farm still in the possession of the family. 



BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 335 

where he lived the remaining part of his life. He 
was a man of superior abilities and of rare qualifi- 
cations as a minister of the gosj)el. There was a 
dignity about his personal appearance, and a forci- 
bleness in his declamation, vouchsafed to but few. 
Upon rising to speak he always remained silent 
for a few moments, then slowly uttered a few 
words, but as he proceeded in his discourse his 
whole being seemed to be fired with the thoughts 
which he was uttering, and his voice and manner 
on such occasions became solemnly impressive. 
He was considered eminent in the ministry, and 
travelled extensively, both in America and Eng- 
land, in that capacity. In social conversation he 
was pleasant and cheerful, but never light or tri- 
fling; and he always clothed his thoughts in such 
plain language that his meaning was clearly un- 
derstood by all. James Thornton was not perfec- 
tion, but the errors he made were of the head 
rather than of the heart, and his contemporaries 
all unite in considering him an honorable and 
highly useful member of society. He was the 
principal minister at Byberry for forty years, and 
during that time he made several religious visits 
to different parts of the country, — the first to Dela- 
ware and the Eastern Shore of Maryland in 1780 ; 
and afterwards to New Jersey in 1781, and to New 
York in 1793. Mary, his wife, was also a paragon 
of excellence, both in domestic and other mat- 
ters, so that from a very moderate beginning they 
soon attained a competence. She was also of a 
literary turn, and among other articles composed 



336 THE HISTORY OP 

an essay on the death of her son, Asa, which was 
a production of considerable merit. James died 
in 8th mo., 1794, leaving a son, James, who suc- 
ceeded to the estate. 

Mary, died in 1793. Children : Lydia, Joseph, 
James, and Asa. Of these Asa died while a youth j 
James died unmarried in 1794, aged 33 years. 
Horsham Monthly Meeting issued a testimony con- 
cerning him, in which " he was stated to be a pious 
young man, and a bright example for the young 
men of his day." He was of a literary turn, and 
a manuscript volume of his poems is still extant. 
Lydia married William Walton ; Joseph married 
Hannah Warrington, of New Jersey, and settled in 
Byberry, where he died in 1790, leaving one son, 
James, who married, first, Grace, daughter of Ezra 
and Elizabeth Townsend, and settled on the old 
homestead. They had one daughter, Elizabeth, 
who married Dr. Isaac Comly. After his wife's 
death, James married Eebecca Stokes, of Moores- 
town, ]N'ew Jersey. Children : James, John, and 
Edmund. 

THE WALMSLEY FAMILY.* 

The earliest mention of the Walmsley family 
that we have seen, is a certificate from Settle 
Monthly Meeting of Friends, near Bristol, Eng- 
land, containing a list of the names of Friends who 

* I am indebted to Watson Comly, of Byberry, for the greater 
part of the genealogy of this family. 



BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 337 

were about to remove to Pennsylvania, in which 
there is mention of Thomas \yahnsley, Elizabeth, 
his wife, and six minor children. This was about 
the time of Penn's first visit to Pennsylvania. 
According to Watson's Annals, some of the earlier 
emigrant ships were nearly three months on the 
passage, during which time the small-pox broke 
out among the immigrants, and about forty of them 
died. As there is no account of more than three 
of Thomas Walmsley's children in this country, to 
wit, Thomas, Henry, and Elizabeth, it is probable 
that the rest- died while coming over. 

Thomas before leaving England bought a tract 
of land on the Neshaminy Creek, in Bucks County, 
probably near Hulmeville. As he designed build- 
ing a mill on that stream he brought from Eng- 
land the irons and several other articles for its 
construction, from which we infer that he was a 
man of property. They landed at Burlington, JSTew 
Jersey, and within two weeks of the time of land- 
ing he was attacked with the dysentery, from 
which he died. His three children were thus left 
under the care of their mother, who was a very 
estimable woman. She, however, married John 
Paisley about two years subsequently. 

THOMAS WALMSLEY AND HIS DESCENDANTS. 

Thomas, the elder son of Thomas, married Mary, 
daughter of John Paxson, in 1698, and settled first 
in Bensalem, probably on his father's farm, but 
not being satisfied he sold that place and bought 

29 



338 THE HISTORY OF 

fifty acres of Cross's patent in Byberry, recently 
owned by Charles Walmsley, one of his descend- 
ants. He removed to this place in 1703, and re- 
sided there the remainder of his life. He soon 
afterwards purchased fifty acres of the Tibby tract 
adjoining, one hundred and twenty-five acres of 
Henry English, and eight acres of Joseph Knight, 
where Robert Purvis now lives. He also owned 
two hundred and twenty-five acres in Middletown, 
Bucks County, fifty acres where Spencer Worth- 
ington now lives, a farm at the foot of Edge Hill, 
now William F. Ervin's, also four hundred acres in 
Buckingham. The latter farm was so far back 
in the woods that he traded with one of the Car- 
vers for the lands lately belonging to Jesse Walms- 
ley and William Walmsley, giving two acres for 
one. He was a farmer and dealer in horses, and 
was very successful in both. He is represented as 
a quiet, peaceable man, attending to his private 
business, and doing but little in the aff'airs of either 
Church or State. He had good natural abilities, 
and although successful in accumulating property 
was not at all parsimonious. As a proof of this, 
having a number of daughters, most of whom were 
married in meeting, he made provision to enter- 
tain large companies of wedding guests, sometimes 
amounting to more than a hundred ; and on one 
occasion, after meeting broke up, he invited the 
whole congregation to dine with him. He was 
considered a wealthy man, and his property con- 
sisted principally of lands and horses. His house 
contained three rooms, which were built at differ- 



BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 339 

ent times ; it was one story high, and was covered 
with oak shingles. He died in 1754, aged about 
80 years. His widow died in 1755, aged 79 years. 
Children : Thomas, William, Elizabeth, Agnes, 
Mary, Abigail, Phebe, Esther, and Martha. In 
his will Thomas Walmsley left fifty acres to his 
daughter Mar}^, the Edge Hill property to Abigail, 
and the remainder of his real estate to his son 
"William. 

(2.) Thomas and Mary Walmslei/s Children. 

(3.) Thomas, married Hannah, daughter of Wil- 
liam Walton, the preacher, in 1728. They settled 
on the Edge Hill farm, and within a year from 
their marriage, as he was returning from Horsham 
meeting, he was thrown from his horse and so 
badly injured that he died shortly afterwards. 

(4.) William, was born in By berry, in 1709. 
In 1735 he married Sarah Titus, of Long Island, 
and settled where Edwin Tomlinson now lives. 

On the occasion of his marriage, Friends gave 
him a certificate, stating that " he was of a sober 
and orderly behavior, and in good unity with 
them." He seems to have sustained this good 
character, and to have advanced in the good oj^in- 
ion of his contemporaries, as we find him filling 
several important positions in the Meeting, such as 
clerk, overseer, and elder, all of which were to the 
satisfaction of his friends. He wrote a good plain 
hand, and kept the Meeting records, as well as his 
own private accounts, in excellent order ; and in 
all business transactions he was very correct and 



340 THE HISTORY OF 

■methodical. He inherited considerable real estate 
in Byberry from his father; also, a number of 
slaves, which he afterwards emancipated. He was 
justly esteemed as an honest and uj^right . man. 
His wife died in 1763, and in 1764 he married 
Susanna, widow of Walter Comly. He died in 
1773, aged 64 years, leaving five children by his 
first w^ife: Thomas, William, Silas, Mary, and 
Sarah. Susanna, his widow, died in 1795, aged 81 
years. 

(5.) Elizabeth, married Jeremiah Walton, in 
1718. 

(6.) Agnes, married Job Walton, in 1728. 

(7.) Mary, married John Worthington. 

(8.) Abigail, married Isaac Comly, in 1738. 

(9.) Phebe, married Isaac Carver, in 1742. 

(10.) Esther, married Stephen Parry, in 1755. 

(11.) Martha, married David Parry, in 1761. 
Children : Martha and David. 

(4.) William and Sarah Wahnsley's Children. 

(12.) Thomas, married Agnes Mason, of Fair 
Hill, in 1768. He inherited from his father the 
homestead, with 168 acres of land, also one-third 
of the Middletown tract, and a lot of land in Smith- 
field. He afterwards sold the Middletown and 
Smithfield tracts. He w^as a man of more than 
ordinary abilities, and was noted for his industry 
and honesty. He was so peaceable that his neigh- 
bors said they did not recollect that he ever had a 
quarrel with any one. He held a respectable po- 
sition in Meeting affairs, being Overseer for many 



BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 341 

years, and an Elder during the last 30 years of his 
life. In person he was rather above middle size ; 
strong-built, though not fleshy, and possessed of 
great streogth. His health was remarkably good 
until a short time previous to his decease. In 1792 
he buried his first wife, and in 1794 married Euth 
Kirk, of Little York, an eminent minister in the 
Society of Friends. He died in 1819, aged 82 years. 
Euth died in 1798. His children by the first wife 
were Benjamin, Mary, Asa, Eichard, Thomas, and 
William. 

(13.) William, married Abigail, daughter of 
Giles Knight, in 1764. They settled first in Mid- 
dletown, but afterwards removed to Byberry, and 
built the house where Eobert Purvis now resides. 
He inherited considerable property from his father, 
but, like many others, he preferred an easy life to 
one of toil, hence his estate did not increase. He 
was possessed of good natural abilities, yet he took 
but little interest in the affairs of the neighbor- 
hood. He died in 1819, aged 79 years. Abigail, 
his widow, died 11th mo. 8th, 1820. Children: 
Sarah, Giles, Mary, Joseph, and Israel. 

(14.) Silas, married Martha, daughter of Walter 
Comly, in 1765. Children : William, Jesse, and 
Silas. 

(15.) Mary, married Thomas Knight, in 1759. 
She died in 1802, aged 60 years, leaving no chil- 
dren. 

(16.) Sarah, married Isaac Bolton, in 1766, and 
settled near the county line in Southampton. Isaac 
died in 1783, and his widow and children moved to 

29* 



342 THE HISTORY OF 

the house now occupied by William Forrest, in 
Byberr3^ She died in 1795. Children : William, 
Joseph, Isaac, Mary and Margaret (twins), Jesse, 
Thomas, and Sarah. 

David and (IV) Martha Tarry' s Children. 

(17.) Martha, married David Ciimmings, of 
Philadelphia. 

(18.) David, married Elizabeth, daughter of 
Mordecai Thomas. Children : Josej)h, Samuel, and 
Martha. 

(12.) Thomas and Agyies Walmsley^s Children. 

(19.) Benjamin, married Beulah Newbold, of 
Springfield, JST. J., and settled on the homestead in 
Byberry. He was a Justice of the Peace for sev- 
eral years, and occujDied a prominent position in 
the affairs both of the church and the neighbor- 
hood. He died at about the age of 70 years. Chil- 
dren : Charles, who married Tacy, daughter of 
Ezra Townsend ; Agnes (deceased), and Ann. 

(20.) Mary, died young. 

(21.) Asa, married Mary Paxson, of Bensalem. 
He erected the buildings now occupied by Ross M. 
Knight, and afterwards kept a store there for 
eleven years. He then sold the property, and re- 
moved to the farm now owned by Horace Smyth, 
where he spent the remainder of his daj^s. He was 
for several 3^ears a clerk, overseer, or elder, in the 
meetings, and was highly respected. His wife died 
in 1838. Children : Sarah ; Thomas, who married 



BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 343 

Elizabeth, daughter of Ephraim Haines; Anna; 
Maiy ; Morton, who married Eliza Moon ; Eichard, 
who married Eebecca Smith, and Margaret. 

(22.) EiCHARD, died young. 

(23.) Thomas, was born in Byberry, 3d mo. 25th, 
1781. In the early part of his life, while yet a 
schoolboy, he gave evidence of more than ordinary 
talent, and acquired a knowledge of all the branches 
then taught in the school at Byberry Meeting with 
unusual facility. After having mastered all these, 
he commenced the study of Latin under a ripe 
scholar and an excellent teacher, the late John 
Comly; and by close application, along w^ith a re- 
tentive memory, soon gained a good knowledge of 
that language. He had a great love for books, and 
generally carried one with him, which he studied 
whenever opportunity offered. He became par- 
ticularly interested in scientific subjects, and re- 
solved upon becoming a physician. He accord- 
ingly entered as a student of medicine under Dr. 
Gregg, of Attleboro', Bucks County, where he re- 
mained closely pursuing his studies for three or 
four years. While thus engaged, his active mind 
led him into other channels of learning, and we 
find him the ardent promoter of several literary 
societies. He then went to Philadelphia, in order 
to become more proficient in the various branches 
of medicine, and attended lectures in the Univer- 
sity of Pennsylvania. While here he made the ac- 
quaintance of many of the most eminent literary 
men of that day, from whom he derived much 
profit, as they assisted him in his studies. He was 



344 THE HISTORY OF 

elected a member of the Philadelphia Medical So- 
ciety, and was among the original founders of the 
American Linna^an Society, of which he became 
Yice-President. While attending lectures he made 
several experiments in regard to the absorption of 
medicines ; and these experiments, together with 
some other observations, formed the basis of his 
inaugural thesis for the degree of Doctor of Med- 
icine, which was conferred upon him by the Uni- 
versity in the spring of 1803. Soon after gradu- 
ating he removed to Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, 
where he obtained considerable practice in his pro- 
fession. In 1805 he was solicited by Dr. Young to 
settle in Hagerstown, Maryland, where a physician 
was badly needed, and he concluded to remove 
thither. In the 8th mo. 1806, he was seized with 
bilious fever, and, after twelve weeks' sickness, 
died, in the twent^^-sixth year of his age. He was 
the author of a number of original essays, political 
and scientific, the former of which was published 
in the newspapers of Maryland, and the latter in 
Barton's Journal. A eulogium on him was pub- 
lished, but has probably been lost. 

(24.) William, went to Philadelphia, where he 
was at first unsuccessful in business, but becoming 
a broker he was more fortunate, and amassed con- 
siderable property. He died single, 3d mo. 27th, 
1839. 

(13.) William and Abigail Walmsley's Children. 

(25.) Sarah, married Thomas Phi2:)ps, of Abing- 
ton. Children : Abigail, who married, first, Tho- 



BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 345 

mas Stackhonse ; second, Eobert Eaines ; Drusilla, 
who married John Rowlett. 

(26.) Giles, was subject to convulsions, and died 
at the age of forty. 

(27.) Mary, married, first, Joseph Stackhouse. 
He died in 1806, and she married, second, John 
Lester, of Eichland, but left no children. 

(28.) Joseph, married Ann, daughter of John 
Barton, near Camden, New Jersey. He settled 
where Robert Purvis now resides. He was very 
successful in business, and was very active in the 
affairs of the Meeting, as well as the neighborhood. 
He afterwards moved to Frankford, and subse- 
quently to Philadelphia, where he died. Children : 
Abigail, Rebecca, Morgan, and William. 

(29.) Israel, married Rebecca, daughter of Wil- 
liam Walton, and settled in Byberry, where John 
Comly now lives. He died in 1822, from a fall 
down the cellar steps, leaving one child, Delilah. 

henry walmsley, and his descendants. 

(1.) Henry, the younger son of Thomas, mar- 
ried Mary Searl, in 1699. They settled in the 
lower end of Southampton, Bucks County, on or 
near the Lead Mine Farm. He was above the 
middle size of men, and was a jovial, comical sort 
of person. He did not inherit much property from 
his father, and never became so wealthy as his 
brother Thomas. He died in 1760. Children : 
Thomas, Francis, Elizabeth, Joan, and Rebecca. 



346 THE HISTORY OF 

(1.) Henry and Mary Walmsley's Children. 

(2.) Thomas, married and settled on the home- 
stead, where he died, in 1786. Children : Henry, 
Ralph, Mary, Sarah, and Elizabeth. 

(3.) Elizabeth, married William, son of William 
and Mary Carver, in 1719, and settled at Bucking- 
ham. 

(4.) Joan, married Thomas Tomlinson, in 1719. 
She died in 1772. 

(2.) Thomas Walmsley's Children. 

(5.) Henry, married, first, Martha, daughter of 
Daniel Knight, and settled on the Lead Mine Farm. 
Children : Daniel T. and Sarah. After Martha's 
death Henry married Esther Duncan, but had no 
children. He died in 1792. 

(6.) Ealph, settled on part of the homestead. 
He married, and had t^YO sons, Thomas and Wil- 
liam. 

(7.) Sarah, married John Terry, and had one 
son, James, and probably other children. 

(8.) Elizabeth, married Joseph, son of Thomas 
Worth ingt on. 

(5.) Henry and Martha Walmsley's Children. 

(9.) Daniel T., married Mary, daughter of Gen- 
eral Augustin Willet. He inherited a large portion 
of his father's estate, but lost the greater part 
of it. Afterwards he kept tavern at Smithfield, 
where he died, leaving children, Elizabeth, Martha, 
Sarah, Mary, Grace, and James Madison. 



BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 347 

(10.) Sarah, married "William Eidge, and settled 
in the northern part of Bensalem. They were 
highly respected in the community, and by industry 
acquired a competent estate. They had children, 
Isaac, Daniel, Martha, William H., Walmsley, Ea- 
chel, Effie, Anna, and Samuel. 

(9.) Daniel T. and Mary Walmsley's Children. 

(11.) Elizabeth, died unmarried. 

(12.) Martha, married Mahlon Atkinson, and 
moved to Drumore. 

(13.) Sarah, married Dr. Benjamin Eush Banes. 

(14.) Mary, married Isaac J. Eush. 

(15.) Grace, married, first, Bernard Walton ; sec- 
ond, James M. Boileau. 

(16.) James Madison, died young. 



THE WALTON FAMILY.* 

The name of Walton frequently occurs in Besse's 
Account of the Sufferings of Friends in England, 
published about 1751. The first of that name who 
came to America were four brothers, Nathaniel, 
Thomas, Daniel, and William, who arrived at 
Newcastle early in 1675. They ascended the Del- 
aware Eiver and settled in Byberry, on land now 
owned by George Dehaven. 

* I am indebted to Watson Comly, of Byberry, for the greater 
part of the genealogy of this family. 



348 THE HISTORY OF 

(1.) NATHANIEL WALTON, AND HIS DESCENDANTS. 

In the records of the Monthly Meeting of 
Friends, held alternately at Tacony and Poques- 
sing, we find that Nathaniel Walton had their 
approbation to accomplish his marriage with Mar- 
tha Bownall, of Philadelphia, which was accord- 
ingly done 11th mo. 26th, 1685. When the Keithian 
controversy divided the Society of Friends, Na- 
thaniel and his family joined the Keithian Church, 
of which John Hart was the minister. When Hart 
joined the Baptists, JSTathaniel joined the "Church 
at All-Saints." In a letter found some years since, 
written by JSTathaniel to his brother William, dated 
7th of October, 1713, he reminds him "that he 
paid five pounds for his passage from England, 
which had not been repaid, and makes a demand 
for the money." We have no other account of 
him, except that he lived on property now belong- 
ing to George Dehaven, and left two sons, Natha- 
niel and Benjamin. 

(1.) Nathaniel and Martha Walton's Children. 

(2.) Nathaniel, was a schoolmaster as early as 
1727, and Thomas Chalkley speaks in his Journal 
of having sent his children to Nathaniel's school. 
He died in Moreland, back of Edge Hill, in 1784, 
aged about 80 years, and left two sons, Boaz and 
Joseph. 

(3.) Benjamin, we have no account of, except 
that he left a son, Benjamin. 

(4.) Joseph, son of (2) Nathaniel, lived on prop- 



BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 349 

erty now owned by William Wenzell. He taught 
the school at Byberry for fifteen years, after which 
he mov^ed to the Falls, in Bucks County, to follow 
his profession. It is said he was a teacher for sixty 
years. He died 10th mo. 4th, 1759. 

(5.) Benjamin, son of (3) Benjamin, was a rigid 
Whig in the time of the Revolution, and very ac- 
tive in his distraints upon Friends on account of 
military requisitions, exorbitant in his seizures, 
and of imperious disposition. He was commonly 
called " Black Ben/' on account of his dark com- 
plexion, and to distinguish him from another of 
the same name. 

(1.) THOMAS WALTON, AND HIS DESCENDANTS. 

(1.) Thomas Walton, the second of the four 
brothers, settled back of Smithfield (Somerton), 
on the Horsham Road, in the Manor of Moreland. 
I^othing is known of his history, except that he 
married Priscilla Hunn, of Philadelphia, 12th mo. 
24th, 1689 (O. S.), and that he died in 1758, at a 
very advanced age, probably near one hundred 
years. He left several children. 

(2.) Thomas, son of (1) Thomas, lived with his 
father, and was a preacher in the Society of 
Friends. He usually walked to meeting at By- 
berry, a distance of five miles, and officiated when 
no other minister was present. He was afterwards 
disowned for not paying his debts. He was com- 
monly designated as the " Old Bishop." H-e died 
1st mo. 31st, 1777, aged 84 years, unmarried. 

ao 



350 THE HISTORY OF 

(1.) DANIEL WALTON, AND HIS DESCENDANTS. 

(1.) Daniel Walton, one of the four brothers, 
settled on his tract of land near the present resi- 
dence of Linford Tomlinson. He married Mary 
Lamb, 6th mo. 21st, 1688 (0. S.). Throughout his 
long life he was much respected, and was consid- 
ered among the faithful Friends of that day. He 
died in 1719, leaving seven children : Samuel, Dan- 
iel, Joshua, Joseph, Benjamin, Nathan, and Mary. 
Nearly all the Waltons at preseut residing in the 
vicinity of Byberry are descendants of the ancient 
Daniel. 

(1.) Daniel and Mary Walton's Children. 

(2.) Samuel, was disinherited by his father, for 
" disobedience to his mother," but inherited the 
estate belonging to his brother Nathan, who died 
intestate. He left the neighborhood and settled 
near Quakertown, in Bucks County. He had four 
sons, Samuel, Benjamin, Abraham, and Jacob, most 
of whom emigrated to the Western country. 

(3.) Daniel, married Clifton, and settled 

where English Knight now lives. His farm ex- 
tended eastward to John Samms's Corner. He left 
three children, Daniel, Jane, and Massy. 

(4.) Joshua, took the western part of his father's 
farm, and settled where Watson Tomlinson now 
lives. He married Catharine Albertson, usually 
called " Case Walton." In the domestic history 
of the family many unpleasant traits are apparent. 
Joshua committed suicide by hanging himself to a 



BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 351 

tree in front of his house, and was buried in one 
of his back fields. His widow died 12th mo. 18th, 
1759. For many years after the death of Joshua 
the premises were believed by the superstitious to 
be haunted, and "marvellous tales were told of 
sights, sounds, and presentations, terrific in their 
nature." Men were actually frightened from the 
" Timber Swamp " in the daytime, but the ghosts 
have since departed. Joshua left three sons : 
Joshua, who died in 1779; Albertson, and Jona- 
than. 

(5.) Joseph, married Esther, daughter of John 
Carver, of Buckingham. Children : Eichard and 
Eachel. 

(6.) Benjamin, was born in Byberry about 1693. 
He married Rebecca Homer, in 1724, by whom he 
had nine children. He settled on his father's farm 
in Byberry, and was prosperous in business. He 
was a member with Friends, and much respected by 
his contemporaries. He died in 11th mo. 1753; 
and his widow in 8th mo., 1783, aged 79 years. 
Eebecca was much esteemed, and her virtues are 
handed down to us in some verses made by James 
Thornton, Jr., shortly after her decease. Their 
children were, Elizabeth, Mary, Daniel, Hannah, 
Rebecca, Sarah, Benjamin, Esther, and William. 

(7.) Mary, married William Homer, and settled 
where William Carter now lives. She died in 
1788. Her sons, " Taff, Joe, and Jake, were bach- 
elors, lounging about home and drinking a great 
deal of whiskey." They were called ^' The young 
Homers," being from their father's second wife. 



352 THE HISTORY OF 

(3.) Daniel Walton's Children. 

(8.) Daniel, married Ann, daughter of Daniel 
Knight, and settled on the homestead, where he 
died 10th mo. 29th, 1776. Children : Daniel, Aaron, 
and Ann. 

(9.) Jane, married Isaiah Walton. 

(10.) Massy, married (9) William, grandson of 
(1) William Walton, the preacher. Child: Jacob. 

(4.) Joshua and Catharine Walton's Children. 

(11.) Albertson, lived where George Weiss now 
owns. During the Revolutionary War his attach- 
ment to the British led him to secrete his title-pa- 
pers in a hollow tree, and join the English army in 
New York. He returned to Byberry after the 
war, but was taken and tried for treason. He was 
acquitted, but lost his title-papers, and had to apply 
to the Legislature to make his title good. He died 
in 1821, aged 90 years. Children : Jesse, AYilliam, 
and Jonathan. 

(12.) Jonathan, was born in Byberry, where 
Watson Tomlinson now lives, about 1733. He 
never married ^ but in early life was very anxious 
to accumulate property, and frequently plowed all 
night. He removed to a farm on the Old York 
road, near Hartsville, where he spent the most of 
his life, and where he died in 1790. He is particu- 
larly noted for the legacy left to Byberry Meeting, 
called "Walton's Donation," for schooling poor 
children. This amounted to $886.46, the income 
of which has been judiciously applied to the bene- 



BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 353 

fit of many children who would most probably 
have otherwise grown up without any school learn- 
ino;. The other two-thirds of the estate were be- 
queathed, for similar purposes, to Friends of Eich- 
land and Horsham. 

(5.) Joseph and Esther Walton's CJiildren. 

(13.) EiCHARD, married Abigail, widow of Isaac 
Comly and daughter of Thomas Walmsley. He 
died 10th mo. 6th, 1776. Children: Joseph, Benja- 
min, and Esther. 

(6.) Benjamin and Rebecca Walto7i''s Children. 

(14.) Elizabeth, born 3d mo. 27th, 1725, mar- 
ried Brj^an Peart. Children : Benjamin, who moved 
to Salem, Ohio, Rebecca and Thomas. Bryan Peart 
died in 1757, and Elizabeth married Benjamin Gril- 
bert, the Indian captive, in 1760. Children : Jesse, 
Abner, Rebecca, and Elizabeth. On account of 
her captivity, she became well known to the public. 
She lived about thirty years after her return, and 
was universally respected by her numerous friends 
and connections, and peacefully closed her earthly 
career, at her residence near Fallowfield, Chester 
County, in the eighty-sixth year of her age. 

(15.) Mary, born 12th mo. 17th, 1726, married 
David Thomas. She died in 1804, aged 78 years. 

(16.) Daniel, born 12th mo. 1st, 1728, married 
Sarah, daughter of Benjamin G-ilbert, and settled 
near the Red Lion. During the Revolutionary 
War he suffered much from the depredations of 

30* 



354 THE HISTORY OP 

the Continentals, and had his barn burnt by Gen- 
eral Lacy's men. He died near Fallowfield, Ches- 
ter County, in 1798, aged 70 years. Sarah died in 
1785. Children : Eachel, Eebecca, Sarah, Lydia, 
Asa, Jesse, and Gilbert. 

(17.) Hannah, born 12th mo. 28th, 1730, re- 
mained unmarried ; died at the age of 86. She was 
a poet, and wrote several articles which were circu- 
lated in MS. 

(18.) Eebecca, born 9th mo. 24th, 1723, married 
Joseph Warrington, of Moorestown, IST. J. She 
was highly esteemed as a worthy member of soci- 
ety, and " was probably as near perfection as mor- 
tals ever are." She sometimes wrote poetry, and 
several of her effusions are still extant. She died 
7th mo. 8th, 1812. 

(19.) Sarah, twin sister of Eebecca, married 
Thomas Knight in 1771. She died 1st mo. 4th, 
1807. Children : Amos, Eebecca, and Esther. 

(20.) Benjamin, born 12th mo. 1st, 1735, married 
Abigail, daughter of Benjamin Gilbert, After liv- 
ing a few years in Byberry they moved to Fallow- 
field, Chester County. Children : Benjamin, Na- 
than, Joseph, and Eebecca. 

(21.) Esther, born 3d mo. 17th, 1738, married 
(21) Thomas Walton, descendant of William. 

(22.) William, born 5th mo. 29th, 1740, married 
Lydia, daughter of James Thornton, in 1771, and 
spent his life at the homestead now owned by Lin- 
ford Tomlinson. He inherited a small estate from 
his father, to which he made large additions by the 
industrious and prudent course he pursued. For 



BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 355 

many years previous to his death, he was regarded 
as the largest landholder and the most wealthy 
man in either township. He, however, seems not 
to have been elated by his wealth, but scrupulously 
adhered to his plain old-fashioned way of living, 
and made no ostentatious disj^lay. He carefully 
maintained a concern for the institutions and prin- 
ciples of the Society of Friends, of which he was 
a member; and was for several years a clerk of the 
Monthly Meeting; afterward an overseer, and for 
twenty-five years an elder; he was the author of the 
original " Narrative of the Captivity of Benjamin 
Gilbert and Family by the Indians." He died the 
14th of 5th mo. 1824, aged eighty-four years, and 
Lj^dia, his widow, died 2d mo. 23d, 1827. Children : 
Beulah, James, Martha, Phebe, Jabez, Josiah, Ja- 
son, Eebecca, Israel, Mary, Joseph Thornton, and 
Edmund. 

(23.) Eebecca, daughter of (20) Benjamin, mar- 
ried Benjamin Kite. She died 12tli mo. 20th, 1840. 

(8.) Daniel and Ann Walton's Children. 

(24.) Daniel, married Elizabeth , and set- 
tled at Sandyford. Some of his descendants now 
live in Philadelphia. 

(25 ) Aaron, married Ann Thomas, and lived 
on the lower end of the old homestead, next to 
Samms's Corner. He died 12th mo. 19th, 1834. 
Children : Brazilla, Clifton, Maria, and Sindonia. 

(26.) Ann, married John Cornell. 



356 THE HISTORY OF 

(13.) Richard and Abigail Walto7i's Children. 

(27.) Joseph, married Deborah Lee. Children : 
Sarah, Abigail, Deborah, Asenath, Agnes, Ann, 
and John. He died 3d mo. 19th, 1821, aged 67; 
Deborah died in 1840. 

(28.) Benjamin, died young. 

(29.) Esther, married Ephraim Howell. Chil- 
dren : Joseph, Eebecca, Eichard, Abigail, Mary, 
Ephraim, Elizabeth, and Deborah. 

(25.) Aaron and Ann Walton's Children. 

(30.) Brazilla, married Jane Feaster ; died 12th 
mo. 27th, 1836. 

(31.) Clifton, died 9th mo. 30th, 1838 ; unmar- 
ried. 

(32.) Maria, married Giles, son of Joseph T. 
Knight. Children : Abby Ann, and Grace. 

(33.) SiNDONiA, married David, son of David 
and Elizabeth Webster. Children : Aaron, Mary, 
Thomas, Byron, and Warren. 

(1.) WILLIAM WALTON AND HIS DESCENDANTS. 

(1.) William, one of the four brothers, married 
Sarah Howell, 4th mo. 20th, 1689 (O. S.), and 
located near the present residence of Josiah Wal- 
ton. He was the first preacher of Byberry Meet- 
ing after the Keithian separation, and continued 
the principal, if not the only one, for the next 
forty years. But little account of his religious 



BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 357 

labors has been preserved ; but his ministry met 
with the approval of the Meeting, and he was rec- 
ommended as a minister. In 1717, he visited all 
the families belonging to Byberry Meeting; and, in 
1721, in comj^anj^ with Eichard Busby, j^aid a 
religious visit to Maryland, Virginia, and Carolina. 
This gave great satisfaction to those visited, and. 
on his return he produced several certificates from 
meetings visited, stating that they "felt great 
unity with his visit of love." He again visited the 
families of Byberry in 1723, and was then accom- 
panied by Henry Comly. He died 12th mo. 9th, 
1736-7 (O. S.), and left ten children : Eachel, Isaac, 
Jeremiah, Jacob, Sarah, William, Abel, Job, Han- 
nah, and Mary. Although this family was so large, 
and many of their descendants still reside in Hor- 
sham, yet very few are now living within the 
vicinity of Byberry. 

The name of William Walton has been so fre- 
quently adopted that it is amusing, without in- 
tending any disrespect, to note how the different 
men were designated. The first was William Wal- 
ton, the preacher; besides him we have "William, 
Jr. ; AVilliam Walton, Benjamin's son ; AVilliam 
Walton, Isaac's son ; William Walton, Job's son 
William Walton, Abel's son ; Billy Thornton AVal 
ton; Jersey Billy; Shoemaker Billy; Duke Billy 
Pony Billy; Hector Billy; Billy Duke; Soldier 
Billy; Shoe. Billy's son Bill; Pony Billy's son Bill 
and Hector Billy's son Bill." 



358 THE HISTORY OP 

(1.) William and Sarah Walton's Children. 

(2.) Isaac, left three children, William (Jersey 
Billy), Jacob, and Isaac. 

(3.) Jehemiah, married Elizabeth, daughter of 
Thomas Walmsley, and settled near Horsham. He 
died in 1741. Children : William, Thomas, Eachel, 
Jeremiah, Jacob, James, Mary, Sarah, Elizabeth, 
and Phebe. Most of the Waltons about Horsham 
are of this family. 

(4.) AViLLiAM, died unmarried. 

(5.) Abel, married Eebecca, daughter of Henry 
Walmsley, and lived near Somerton, where he died 
12th mo. 25th, 1771. Children: Abel, Henry, and 
William. 

(6.) Job, married Agnes, daughter of Thomas 
Walmsle}^, and settled where Nathaniel Eichard- 
son now lives. He had a strong constitution and 
performed a great deal of hard work, yet did not 
get rich. He sometimes preached at Bj^berry. 
He died 4th mo. 16th, 1784. Children : Isaac, 
Sarah, Job, Isaiah, Thomas, Mary, William, and 
Elijah. 

(7.) Hannah, married, first, Thomas Walmsley, 
Jr., who was killed by being thrown from his horse, 
in 1728; second, Thomas Mardon, a tailor, "who 
had been purchased from off shipboard " by George 
James. As his time of servitude had not ex- 
pired, his wife bought the remainder of his time- 
She died in 1741. Children : Eachel, Mary, Jacob, 
and Sarah. 

(8.) Mary, married William Homer, and settled 



BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 359 

near Willow Grove, where her descendants still 
reside. 

(2.) Isaac Walton's Children. 

(9.) William (Jersey Billy), married (10) Massy 
Walton, descendant of (1) Daniel, by whom he 
had one son, Jacob. After her decease he married 
Eachel Atkinson, formerly Gilbert. He lived at 
one time in New Jersey, hence the name of " Jer- 
sey Billy." He was a strong man, and considered 
himself in his prime at 65, He probably had more 
enjoyment in catching "coons and wild pigeons," 
and sports of a similar character, than any other 
man in the township. He loved to converse upon 
his hunting adventures, and knew every place fre- 
quented by game in the vicinity. He shot the last 
bear killed in either township, in a large tree back 
of where George E. Weiss now lives. He died in 
1807, aged 82 years. Child by last wife, William 
(Billy Broady). 

(10.) Isaac, married and settled in Buckingham, 
and was the father of Jacob and Benjamin of that 
place. 

(3.) Jeremiah and Elizabeth Walton's Children. 

(11.) William, married and had seven children, 
all of whom, except one, died before they were 
seven years old. 

(12.) Thomas, married and settled at Horsham. 
Children : Jeremiah, Silas, Thomas, Phebe, and 
Elizabeth. 

(13.) Jeremiah, was a short fleshy man, and was 



860 THE HISTORY OF 

called " Chunky Jerry." He married and settled 
in Upper Moreland. Children : Jesse, Jeremiah, 
Elizabeth, Isaac, Joseph, and Jonathan. 

(14.) Jacob, married and settled at Horsham. 
Children : Isaiah and Charles. 

(5.) Abel and Rebecca Waltoji's Children. 

(15.) Abel had eight children : Eebecca, Mary, 
William, Abel, Jonathan, Elizabeth, Henry, and 
Silas. 

(16.) William (Old Duke), married Mary Davis, 
and settled in Byberry. Children : William (Young 
Duke), Eeese, Abel, and Job. 

(6.) Job and Agnes Walton's Children. 

(17.) Isaac, married and settled on the York 
Road, near the county line. He had one son, Jon- 
athan, who married Hannah, daughter of Benjamin 
Worthington, and had children : Josiah, Hannah, 
and Agnes. 

(18.) Sarah, married Jacob Tompkins, of Phila- 
delphia. 

(19.) Job, married Margaret Powel, in 1763, and 
settled in Middletown. They afterwards moved to 
a farm on the York Road, near Hartsville, where 
they ended their days. Children : Job and Isaac. 

(20.) Isaiah, married Sarah Pennington, and 
resided in Bensalem, near the river. Children: 
Isaiah, Mary, Jane, and Agnes. 

(21.) Thomas, married (21) Esther Walton, de- 
scendant of (1) Daniel, and resided on a farm now 
owned by Isaac Tomlinson. He afterwards traded 



BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 361 

this farm to Jacob Coraly for a mill on the Penny- 
pack Creek. Children : Solomon, Mary, Amelia, 
Thomas, Eebecca, Keziah, Abiathar, and Asher, 

(22.) Mary, married Lloyd. Children : 

Martha and Samuel. 

(23.) William (Shoemaker Bill}^), married Mary 
Search, and lived in Byberry. Children: William 
(Old Boy), Elijah, Mary, Agnes, Amos, Christo- 
pher, and Job. 

(24.) Elijah, married and lived in Horsham. 

(7.) Hannah (^Walton) Walmsley's Children. 

(25.) Eachel, Mary, and Jacob died single. 

(26.) Sarah, married Jonathan Wilson. Children : 
Jacob, Eachel, and Sarah. Of these Jacob married 
Eebecca Thomas, and inherited the homestead of 
(1) William. ^Children : Ann, Mardon, Jonathan, 
David, Eobert, Ethan, Jab.ez, and Jehu T. Jacob 
Wilson died 9th mo. 30th, 1814, and Eebecca, his 
•widow, 11th mo. 25th, 1842. ) 

Sarah, daughter of Jonathan Wilson, married 
Jesse Tomlinson, of Bensalem. She died 11th mo. 
3d, 1849. Children : Jesse, Ehoda, and Charles. 

(12.) Thomas Walton's Children. 

(27.) Silas, married Phebe, daughter of John 
Parry. Children : Thomas, Margaret, and David. 
Silas died 9th mo. 19th, 1824. 

(28.) Phebe, married Daniel Shoemaker, and 
had three daughters, who severally married Joseph 
Foulke, Salathiel Cleaver, and Nathan Cleaver. 

31 



362 THE HISTORY OF 

(15.) Abel Walton's Children. 

(29.) William (Pony Billy), married Mary, 
daughter of Henry Ridge, and settled near the 
Cross-roads, in Byberry. 

(30.) Mary, married John Sickel, and settled in 
Bensalem. 



THE WOETHINGTON EAMILY.* 

The WoRTHiNGTONS Came originally from Lan- 
cashire, England. The first of them that emigrated 
to America were three brothers, John, Samuel, 
and Thomas, who reached Byberry in 1705. Two 
others, Daniel and Eichard, are mentioned about 
the same period, but they were probably of a differ- 
ent family. 

In the records of Abington Meeting, we find 
that "Daniel "Worthino-ton brouo-ht a certificate 

CD O 

there for himself and wife from Philadelphia, 10th 
mo. 30th, 1728." 

An old family record of Wrightstown states that 
Richard Worthington and wife were living there 
previous to 1750. They had children : Mahlon, 
born 12th mo. 19th, 1750, married Mary Paxson ; 
John, born 9th mo. 21st, 1753, died in infancy ; 
Joseph, born 9th mo. 19th, 1754, married Rebecca 
"Willet; Mary, born 2d mo. 5th, 1756, married Mat- 
thew Wood; Thomas, born 7th mo. 4th, 1758, mar- 

* I am indebted to Thomas Warner, of Wrightstown, for the 
greater part of the genealogy of this family. 



BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 363 

ried Amy Paxson ; Sarah, born 5th mo. 1st, 1760, 
married John Wetherill; Elizabeth, born 1st mo. 
4th, 1762, married Edmund Plumly; Tamor, born 
10th mo. 20th, 1763, married Jesse Lacey; John, 
born 8th mo. 1st, 1765 ; Hannah, born 5th mo. 18th, 
1767, married Francis Hood ; Letitia, born 4th mo. 
18th, 1769, married Joseph Collins; William, born 

4th mo. 8th, 1771, married Thorn; and Isaac, 

born 1st mo. 20th, 1773, married Elizabeth Mar- 
celius. 

Besides Daniel and Eichard, the record of Ab- 
ington mentions the children of Thomas and Han- 
nah Worthington as follows: Eebecca, born 1st 
mo. 17th, 1752; John, born 9th mo. 1st, 1753; AYil- 
liam, born 6th mo. 4th, 1755; Joseph, born 10th 
mo. 28th, 1757 ; but no further account of them 
has been found. 

Thomas, one of the three brothers, was received 
as a member by the Monthly Meeting of Friends, 
at Buckingham and Wrightstown, in 1732. About 
two years subsequently he obtained a certificate 
to Abington Monthly Meeting. From 1733 to 1759 
he was at Byberry. In the latter year he had a 
difficulty with one Dunkin, but nothing further is 
known of him. 

Samuel, one of the three brothers, took a certifi- 
cate for himself and wife to Abington, 10th mo. 
28th, 1724. They had been lately married. They 
settled in Byberry, where they remained until 
1732. Some time after that they removed to the 
Eastern Shore of Maryland, where the}^ spent the 
remainder of their days. It is said their descend- 



364 THE HISTORY OT 

ants have very much increased, and that one of 
them was a member of Congress, and another a 
Governor of "^e Ohio T^^^^^my. 

(1.) John, the eldest of the three brothers, was 
a weaver. He married Mary, daughter of Thomas 
Wahnsley, about 1720, and settled on property 
since occupied by Joshua Worthington, in the 
northern end of Bjberry. He was an active mem- 
ber of Byberry Meeting, and was much respected. 
His wife died 4th mo. 18th, 1754, and he died 1st 
mo. 14th, 1777, aged about 80 years. Children : 
Elizabeth, Mary, Thomas, Hannah, John, William, 
Isaac, Joseph, Martha, Benjamin, and Esther. 

(1.) John and Mary Worthington's Children. 

(2.) Elizabeth, born 1st mo. 15th, 1721, married 
Joseph Tomlinson, in 1740. Children : Eebecca, 
John, Thomas, Joseph, Erancis, Mary, and Ben- 
jamin. 

(3.) Mary, born 12th mo. 9th, 1723-4; died 
single. 

(4.) Thomas, born 2d mo, 2d, 1726, married Han- 
nah Pritchet, and settled at Churchville, South- 
ampton, Bucks County. He died 6th mo. 4th, 
1798. Children : Joseph, Isaac, John, Thomas, 
Amos, Nathan, Benjamin, William, Eebecca, and 
one daughter. 

(5.) Hannah, born 12th mo. 7th, 1727-8. 

(6.) John, born 2d mo. 17th, 1730; died 6th mo. 
20th, 1744. 

(7.) William, born 7th mo. 20th, 1732, married 
Esther Homer, and settled near the forks of Nesh- 



BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 365 

aminy, Bucks County. Children : Mary, William, 
Jesse, John, Esther, Benjamin, and Hiram. 

(8.) Isaac, born 6th mo. 13th, 1735, married 
Martha, daughter of John Carver, of Buckingham. 
They settled near West Chester in 1783, and con- 
tinued to reside there until his death, in 1800. 
Children : Mary, William, John, Amos, Elizabeth, 
Eber, and Joseph. 

(9.) Joseph, born 6th mo. 12th, 1737, married, 
first, Esther Carver, in 1767, and settled in War- 
wick, Bucks County. Children : Joseph, who went 
to Virginia ; and John, who went to Ohio. After 
Esther's death, he married Sarah Malone. Chil- 
dren : Abner and Sarah. After Sarah's death, he 
married Esther Kimble. Children : Anthony, Wil- 
liam, Joel, Elisha, Amy, Jesse, and Isaac. 

(10.) Martha, born 1st mo. 19th, 1740. 

(11.) Benjamin, born 12th mo. 19th, 1742-3, 
married Sarah, daughter of Patrick Malone, and 
settled in Byberry. Children: Asa, John, James, 
Benjamin, Hannah, Mahlon, Joshua, Elizabeth, 
Enos, and Martha. 

(12.) Esther, born 12th mo. 2d, 1749-50. 

(7.) William and Esther Worthington's Children. 

(13.) Mary, married Benjamin Smith. Chil- 
dren: Esther, who married Jonathan Atkinson; 
and Mary, who married Henry Woodman. 

(14.) William, married, first, Spencer. 

Children : William, Spencer, Asenath, and Mar- 
garet. He married, second, Mary Carver, and had 

31* 



366 THE HISTORY OF 

one BOH, John C, wlio married Mary, daughter of 
William Yonker. 

(15.) Jesse, married Martha Walton. Children: 
Jacob, William, Mary, Jesse, Chalkley, and Martha. 

(16.) Esther, married a Spencer. 

(17.) Benjamin, married Mary Welding. Chil- 
dren : Esther, who married Jonathan K. Bonham; 
Amasa, who married Amy Spencer; and Benja- 
min, who married Patience Heston. 

(18.) Hiram, married x\gnes Walton. Children: 
Hiram, Susan, and Sarah. 

(8.) Isaac and Martha Worthington^s Children. 

(19.) Mary, married Francis Tomlinson. Chil- 
dren : Tac}^, who married John Eoberts; and Mar- 
tha, who married Twining. 

(20.) William, married Amy Underwood. Chil- 
dren : Martha, Tvho married William Given ; John, 
who married Phebe Moore, and had children, Wil- 
liam, Mary, Charles, Phebe, and Oliver; Eber, who 
married and resided in Philadelphia; and Char- 
lotte, w^ho married George W. Norris, and moved 
West. 

(21.) John, was a physician. He married Eliza- 
beth Comly. Children: Lydia; Eachel, who mar- 
ried Amos Wilson, of Philadelphia ; Robert; Jon- 
athan ; and Mary, who married Samuel Williams, 
of Philadelphia. 

(22.) Amos, born 9th mo. 2d, 1773, married Jane 
Taylor. Children : Isaac, who married Rebecca 
Newlin, and had children, John S., William N., 
and Harriet; John Taylor, who married Rachel 



BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 367 

Watson, and had one son, Wilmer; Dr. Wilnaer, 
Avbo married Elizabeth Hemphill, and had chil- 
dren, William H., Ann Jane, Amos Edward, Emily 
E., Antoinette B., Malinda M., Kate D., and Cas- 
par W. ; Carver, who married Euth Reed, and had 
children, Mary, Jane, Elizabeth, Henrietta M., and 
Antoinette B. ; Malinda, who married John Mar- 
shall, and had children, Amos W., Thomas W., and 
Sarah Jane; Amos, who died young; and Lewis, 
who married Caroline Wilson, and had children, 
David W., Amos E., and Jane T. Amos died 1st 
mo. 3d, 1834, aged 61. 

(23.) Elizabeth, married, first, Jesse Roberts; 
second, Thomas Temple, but left no children. 

(24.) Eber, married Lucy Patton. Children : 
Emil}^, who married William Siter, and had chil- 
dren, Wilmer W., Lucy W., John, Adam T., Eber 
W., Mary A., Harriet S., William, Emily, and Ma- 
linda ; Harriet, who married Jesse Conard, and had 
children, Eber W., Sarah Ann, and Caroline ; Fran- 
cina, who married Daniel Buckwalter, and had 
children, Isaac B., William Siter, Eber W., and 
Erancina. 

(25.) Joseph, married Emeline Evans, of Norris- 
town. Children : Sarah, who married Robert 
Chalfant, and hdd children, Emily S., William S., 
Lucy W., Mary Ann, Harriet S., Eliza R., Marga- 
ret C, and Jefferson W. ; Jefferson, who married 
Ann Hernan, and had five children, Mary Ann, 
Charles M., Emily M., Rachel K., and William ; 
Evans; Adaline ; Eliza; and Joseph. 



368 THE HISTORY OF 

(9.) Joseph and Sarah Worthington's Children. 

(26.) Abner, married Abigail Walton. Chil- 
dren : Eber; Joseph; and Sarah, who married 
Ezra Walmsley. 

(27.) Sarah, married John Tomlinson. 

(9.) Joseph and Esther Worthington's Children. 

(28.) Anthony, married Deborah AValton. Chil- 
dren : Joel, Anthony, Eobert, Esther, and Ann. 

(29.) Joel, married Agnes Walton. Children : 
Abner, John, and two daughters. 

(30.) Amy, married Evan Thomas, and had two 
daughters, one of whom married Eleazer Doan, 
and the other William Kirk. 

(11.) Benjamin and Sarah Worthington's Children. 

(31.) Asa, married Eebecca Subers. Children : 
Amos S., Adin, Ann, Chalkley, Asa, and Eebecca. 

(32.) John, married Sarah Walton. Children: 
Edward, who married Susan Singley ; George, who 
married Harriet Comly; Melvina, who married 
Thomas Carter; Benjamin; Asenath; and Wal- 
ton. 

(33.) James, married Ann Maclay, and had one 
son, Franklin. 

(34.) Benjamin, married Ann Walton. Children : 
Amanda, Eebecca, Alfred, Abner, and Mary. 

(35.) Mahlon, married Matilda Edwards. Chil- 
dren : Charles, Benjamin, and others. 

(36.) Hannah, married Jonathan Walton, and 
had several children. 



BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 369 

(37.) Joshua, married Mary, daughter of John 
Tomlinson, and lived on the homestead in Bjberry. 
Children : John, Spencer, Comly. 

(38.) Enos, married Sarah Heaton. Children : 
Thomas, Benjamin, Joshua, and one daughter. 

(39.) Martha, married John Tomlinson. 

THE TOMLINSON FAMILY.* 

The earliest account of this family in Byberry 
is the record of the marriage of Thomas Tomlinson 
and Joan, daughter of Henry Walmsley, in 1719. 
They first settled on a farm back of Edge Hill, but 
afterwards sold the property and purchased a large 
farm in Bensalem, where he resided the remainder 
of his life. He died in 1764, and his widow Joan 
in 1772. Children: Henry, Elizabeth, Joseph, 
Thomas, Francis, Mary, and Eebecca. 

(1.) Thomas and Joan Tomlinson's Children. 

(2.) Henry, born 11th mo. 16th, 1720, married 
Jemima Bolton, in 1753. At the death of his father, 
who died intestate, he being the eldest son secured 
all the real estate, thus leaving the rest of the 
children poor. He was a carpenter by trade, and 
frequently made plows, grain-cradles, &c. He 
died in 1800 much respected by his contemporaries. 
Jemima died in 1802. Children : Sarah, Jemima, 
and Jesse. 

* The account of this family was furnished by Watson Comly 
of Byberry. 



370 THE HISTORY OF 

(3.) Joseph, born 10th mo. 13th, 1724, married 
Elizabeth, daughter of John and Mary Worthing- 
ton, in 1740. Children: Ecbecca, John, Thomas, 
Joseph, Francis, Mary, and Benjamin. Elizabeth 
died in 1761, and Joseph married Peggy McCann. 
The union being an unhappy one, they finally 
parted. Joseph died in 1798. Children : Keziah, 
Benjamin, Naomi, Phebe Ann, and Issachar. Of 
these, Benjamin married Betsy Carlisle, and moved 
to Delaware County. 

(2.) Henry and Jemima Tomlinson's Children. 

(4.) Sarah and Jemima died single. 

(5.) Jesse, born 3d mo. 1st, 1766, married Sarah, 
daughter of Jonathan Wilson, in 1794, and settled 
on the homestead in Bensalem. He was a man of 
great ph^^sical endurance and was much respected. 
He died 10th mo. 27th, 1821. Children: Jesse, 
Ehoda, and Charles. 

(3.) Joseph and Elizabeth Tomlinson's Children. 

(6.) Eebecca, born 3d mo. 2d, 1745, married An- 
drew Singley, of White Sheet Bay, on the Dela- 
ware River. Andrew started a lumber yard, and 
although nuacquainted with figures, was very suc- 
cessful in his business, and amassed a considerable 
estate. Rebecca died in 1791. Children: Eliza- 
beth, Catharine, Mar}^, John, Joseph, Andrew, 
Rebecca, Phebe, and Jemima. 

(7) John, born 1st mo. 26th, 1748, married Phebe, 
' daughter of Patrick Malone, in 1773. Several 



BYBERRY AND MORE LAND. 371 

years afterwards he purchased a farm of Amos 
Simpson, near Bustleton, where he resided the re- 
mainder of his life. He was a very quiet man, and 
by industry and good management acquired a large 
estate. Their children: William, John, Sarah, 
Elizabeth, Benjamin, James, Mary, and Thomas. 

(8.) Thomas, born 2d mo. 21st, 1747, married 
Phebe, daughter of Isaac Carver, in 1775. They 
lived for forty years on a farm back of Smithfield, 
which belonged to Silas Walmsley, but they never 
accumulated much property. Their children: Eliza- 
beth, Phebe, Martha, Isabel, Joseph, John, Amos, 
Isaac, Francis, Thomas, and Silas. 

(9.) Joseph, married Mary, widow of Benjamin 
Taylor, and daughter of Isaac Carver. He died in 
1792, leaving no issue. 

(10.) Francis, born 8th mo. 8th, 1753, lived near 
the Forks of Neshaminy. He married, and had 
children, — Tacy, who married John Poberts, and 
Elizabeth, who married William Tomlinson. 

(11.) Mary, born 6th mo. 22d, 1755, married 
James Malone, and settled near West Chester. 

(12.) Benjamin, born 4th mo. 25th, 1758, died 3d 
mo. 22d, 1775. 

Andrew and (6) Rebecca Singley's Children, 

(13.) Elizabeth, married Daniel Osmond. Chil- 
dren : Pebecca, who married John Osmond; Mary, 
who married Daniel Stevenson ; and Sarah, who 
married Elisha Newbold. 

(14.) Catharine, married John Hill, and lived 
near the Bed Lion. They had one daughter, 



372 THE HISTORY OF 

(15.) Mary, married Abraham Yansant. Chil- 
dren : John and Alonzo. 

(16.) John, married Sarah, daughter of William 
"Walton (Jersey Billy). They had one child, Han- 
nah, who married John Lippincott. 

(17.) Joseph, married Esther, daughter of Tho- 
mas Knight. They had Uvo daughters. 

(18.) Andrew, married Mary, daughter of John 
Edwards. They had children : Amos, Ellen, Susan, 
Edward, Joseph, Andrew, and Mary. 

(19.) Eebecca, married Joseph Eees. Children : 
William, Mary, Phebe, John, Catharine, Charles, 
and G-eorge. 

(20.) Phebe, married, first, Eobert Ervin, and 
had two sons, Andrew and William. She married, 
second, John Price, and had one daughter. 

(21.) Jemima, married Moses Davis. Children : 
William, and others. 

(7.) John and Fhebe Tomlinson's Children. 

(22.) William, married Martha, daughter of 
Benjamin Taj^lor and granddaughter of Isaac Car- 
ver, and settled in Byberfy. The}^ had children : 
Mary, Aaron, John, James, Silas, Benjamin, Phebe, 
William, and Isaac. 

(23.) John, married Sarah, daughter of Joseph 
Worthington. Children : William, Mary, Sarah, 
Joseph, and Jason. John died 1st mo. 21st, 1841. 

(24.) Sarah and Elizabeth died single. 

(25.) Benjamin, married Asenath, daughter of 
Joseph Walton, but had no children. 



BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 373 

(26.) James, married Tacy, daughter of James 
Carter. 

(27.) Mary, married Joshua Worthington, and 
settled on the old Worthingtoii homestead, in By- 
berry. Children : John, Comly, and Spencer. 

(28.) Thomas, married Ann, daughter of Joseph 
Walton. They have children : Watson, Spencer, 
John, Isaac, and Lydia Ann. 

(8.) Thomas and Phebe Tomlinson's Children. 

(29.) Elizabeth, married Benjamin Field. Chil- 
dren : Eobert, Phebe, Thomas, Tomlinson, Isaac, 
Mary, Benjamin, and James. 

(30.) Phebe, married James Carter. Children : 
Mordecai, Tacy, Emily, Stephen, Thomas, Mary, 
James, and William. 

(31.) Joseph, married Elizabeth Twining. Chil- 
dren : James, Caroline, Hannah, Thomas, and Jo- 
seph. 

(32.) Isabella, died single. 

(33.) Thomas, married Eebecca Twining. Chil- 
dren : Elizabeth, Emmor, Mordecai, Abner, Han- 
nah, Phebe, Thomas, James, and Rebecca. 

(34.) Isaac, married Mary Dewees. Children : 
Samuel, Aaron, Eebecca, Carver, Susannah, Comly, 
Chalkley, Thomas, and Sarah. 

(35.) John, married Martha Worthington. Chil- 
dren : Ezra, Hannah, Wilmer, Francis, and Stephen. 
He died 4th mo. 5th, 1846. 

(36.) Francis, married Deborah Twining. Chil- 
dren : Edward, Hannah, Phebe, Deborah, and 
Francis. He died 5th mo. 2d, 1825. 

32 



"*/ 



374 THE HISTORY OF 

(37.) Martha, married John Praul. Cbildreu : 
Isaac, Thomas, William, Francis, Elias, and Philip. 

(38.) Amos, married Caroline Praul. Children : 
Rebecca, Charles, Francis, Edward, and Amanda. 
He died 1st mo. 31st, 1841. 

(39.) Silas, unmarried. 



THE SHEAKEE FAMILY.* 

Jacob Shearer emigrated to America from 
Berne, Switzerland. He died prior to the Revolu- 
tion, and left seven children : Jacob, known as 
Jacob Shearer, Sr., Jonathan, Henry, William, 
Catharine, Mary, and EHzabeth. 

Jacob Shearer, Sr., was born in Moreland, in 
the year 1755. At the commencement of the Revo- 
lution he entered the Continental Army as a pri- 
vate, but was afterwards made a captain, in which 
capacity he served until the close of the war. He 
was in several minor engagements, also in the Bat- 
tle of Germantown. Throughout the whole strug- 
gle, he steadily relied on the success of the Ameri- 
can army, even amid its most discouraging reverses, 
and his sword, now in the possession of his grand- 
son, Jacob Shearer, bears this motto on its blade, 
" The Got whome we serve is able to deliver us." 
During the war he casually formed the acquaint- 

=* I am indebted to Charles S. Keyser, Esq., of Philadelphia, 
far the account of this family. 



BYBERRY AND MORE LAND. 375 

ance of Lafayette, by whom he was pleasantly 
remembered on the return of "the nation's guest" 
to this country in 1824. He was accustomed to 
relate to his children many anecdotes in connec- 
tion with this acquaintance* Jacob Shearer was 
elected a member of the Pennsylvania House of 
Eepresentatives, in 1805, and continued in that 
office until 1811. In 1814 he was elected to the 
Pennsylvania Senate, where he served until 1817. 
He held several other offices, among which was 
that of County Commissioner. He resided during 
the greater part of his life on his farm above Bus- 
tleton, where he died in 1837, aged 82 years. 

He was three times married. His first wife was 
Mary, daughter of Jeremiah ISTorthro]) ; she died 
soon after her marriage without issue. He then 
married her sister, Sarah Northrop, by whom ho 
had three children, Elizabeth, John, and Jacob. 
His third wife was Rachel, daughter of John de 
Nyce, by whom he had three children, Jane, Susan, 
and Ann. 

Elizabeth, married Jesse Randall, and died soon 
after her marriage, leaving one child, Comly Ran- 
dall, still living. 

John, married Mary Jane Wright, of Philadel- 
phia, and emigrated to Illinois, where he now re- 
sides. Children : Jacob, deceased; John, Edward, 
Sarah, deceased; Mary, deceased; and Ann, de- 
ceased. 

Jonathan, the second son, resided also in More- 
land, and left children : Sarah, Elizabeth, Rebecca, 
Mary Ann, Catharine, Amanda, and Emeline. 



376 THEHISTORYOr 

Henry, left three daughters and one son, Joseph, 
who emigrated with John Shearer to Illinois, and 
died at Kaskaskia. 

William, married Eliza Maris, niece of Rachel 
de Nj^ce, and left five children : Caroline, deceased; 
Anna, Catharine, deceased; William, deceased; 
and Eliza. 

Catharine, died unmarried. 

Mary, married Scates, and had three chil- 
dren : Alexander, Sarah, deceased; and the third, 
who died young. 

Elizabeth, married Schock, and had four 

children. 

Jacob Shearer, Jr., inherited the qualities of his 
father, and became prominent early in life as a 
politician. Few things indeed transpired in the 
townships without being more or less influenced by 
him. After serving in all the townshij) offices, 
such as supervisor, assessor, school director, &c., 
he was elected to the Pennsylvania Legislature, 
where he acquired considerable reputation for his 
sound judgment. On the rise of the Native Ameri- 
can party he was by them nominated as a candi- 
date for Congress, but was defeated by Charles J. 
Ingersoll. After this he withdrew from the active 
field of politics. He married Margaret Pitman, of 
the Baldwin family, and settled on the old home- 
stead in Moreland, where he spent his whole life. 
He died in 1854, leaving five children : Josephine, 
Martha, Susan, Jacob, and Margaret. 

Jane, married Jesse Dungan, and resided in Bus- 
tleton. She had children : Joseph, Jacob S., Caro- 



BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 377 

line, deceased ; Alfred ; Charles, deceased ; and Ed- 
ward, deceased. 

Susan, married Joseph Keyser, of the German- 
town family. She has children : Charles S., Wil- 
liam F., Caroline, Martha Jane, deceased, and 
Joseph, deceased. 

Ann, married John Yansant. She has children : 
Ann, deceased, Edward, Joseph, William Henry, 
Eohert, and John. 



CONCLUSION 

The history of B^^berry and Moreland is now 
completed. It would be folly for iis to expect it to 
be free from errors, for it has been obtained almost 
entirely from old manuscripts, some of which were 
not easily deciphered; yet nothing has been in- 
serted unless there was a strong probability of its 
truth; and we think it will be found as reliable as 
any similar production heretofore published. 

The preparation of this history was commenced 
many months since, but the difficulties attending 
its compilation were so great that we often des- 
paired of ever completing it. 

The cares and perplexities of business were so 
manifold, that nothing but an ardent attachment 
to our native place, its people, and its institutions, 
could have induced us to deny ourselves the many 
hours of needed recreation and even of sleep that 



378 THE HISTORY OF 

were necessaiy to work the matter into its present 
condition. But this has been done; and now that 
the toil is over, we can revert with satisfaction to 
the many pleasant hours which we have thus spent 
in looking over the records of bygone times, and 
tracing the pages written by hands long since 
mingled with the dust. From these we have 
learned some of the many difficulties attending the 
early settlement, and can picture to ourselves the 
destitute condition of those primitive settlers who 
left comfortable homes in Old England and came 
over here to reclaim the uncultivated wilds of 
America. We have traced their history as gener- 
ation succeeded generation, carefully noting the 
improvements which from time to time were in- 
troduced, the rise and progress of their religious 
institutions, and the introduction of schools and 
societies for the diifusion of learning, — that talis- 
man which so effectually dispels the dark and dan- 
gerous clouds of error and superstition. We have 
viewed them almost in a state of semi-barbarism, 
living the lives of the savages around them, and 
we have watched them emerging from this condi- 
tion as each succeeding generation became better 
and better acquainted with the teachings of science 
and reason, until now they stand confessedly in 
the first ranks of an enlightened people, with in- 
stitutions in their midst which, we trust, will for- 
ever dispel all dreams of witchcraft and similar 
follies, and leave the human mind to be guided by 
the light of truth and religion. It has been under 
a government — the best the world ever saw — that 



BYBERRY AND MORELAND. 379 

our forefathers of Byberry and Moreland have been 
so prosperous and happy ; and that that govern- 
ment may continue in all its glory and efficiency, 
so that the sons and daughters of these lovely dis- 
tricts may, for all time to come, bask in the sun- 
shine of peace and prosperity, under the benign 
influence of this republic, is the earnest wish of 
the author. 



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